Career Development

Growing up in western Pennsylvania, in Dormont, a borough adjacent to Pittsburgh, a city legendary for big steel and heavy industry, I relished the fall evenings my then-bachelor uncle would chariot my Mom, Grandma, and me to a gravel lot in Connellsville that was hastily arranged each season for sales of farm-fresh produce. There were Seckel pears, squashes of every variety, rutabagas, and apples. My special feelings for those moments are evident in what I learned from my Grandma at those farm-stand fall apple markets.

Taking ownership of your actions, decisions, and leadership approach is a foundational element of authentic leadership. This concept, known as "agency," is at the heart of what separates good leaders from great ones. Leaders who embody agency empower not only themselves but also their teams to take initiative, align with shared values, and rise to challenges with confidence and purpose. Here, we’ll explore how agency strengthens authentic leadership and shapes more adaptive organizations prepared to face the demands of an evolving workplace.