an online book by David Gurteen
Agency is the capacity to make intentional choices and take purposeful actions based on free will, enabling us to direct our lives and shape our identities.
Agency is the capacity of an actor to act in a given environment. It is independent of the moral dimension, which is called moral agency.
In sociology, an agent is an individual engaging with the social structure. Notably, though, the primacy of social structure vs. individual capacity with regard to persons' actions is debated within sociology. This debate concerns, at least partly, the level of reflexivity an agent may possess.
Agency may either be classified as unconscious, involuntary behavior, or purposeful, goal directed activity (intentional action). An agent typically has some sort of immediate awareness of their physical activity and the goals that the activity is aimed at realizing. In 'goal directed action' an agent implements a kind of direct control or guidance over their own behavior.
Credit: Wikipedia - human_agencyI think “knowledge management” is a bullshit issue. Let me tell you why. I can give you perfect information, I can give you perfect knowledge and it won’t change your behavior one iota. People choose not to change their behavior because the culture and the imperatives of the organization make it too difficult to act … Continue reading Knowledge Management Is a Bullshit Issue Michael Schrage
Gurteen Knowledge Blog September 6, 2023, 08:33Too often, we see ourselves as passive recipients of the world rather than active shapers. We view problems as created by others and wait for leaders or institutions to solve them. This traps us in a vicious cycle of reaction and entitlement. We need to reclaim a sense of personal … Continue reading Beyond Blame and Entitlement Taking responsibility for the world we create
Gurteen Knowledge Blog January 2, 2023, 13:06In the Knowledge Management world, we talk about knowledge and capabilities but rarely about agency. I think it’s time we moved from “knowledge to agency” and “capabilities to agency”. People can have all the knowledge needed to do something and may be capable of doing it, but they may not … Continue reading From Knowledge to Agency Knowledge is not power, agency is power
What Does Our Future Biological Evolution Hold? Understanding Teleology Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter When we think about evolution, we tend to focus on biological evolution and Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution. However, evolution is a broader concept. Forms of Evolution Here are some different forms of evolution: 1. Biological Evolution: Biological evolution … Continue reading Post-biological Evolution ** Evolution is not limited to biological evolution
Knowledge Only Exists in the Mind Knowledge and Information Management (KIM) Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter Agency is our ability to make intentional choices and act independently, shaping our lives and identities. The challenge is transitioning from acquiring knowledge to actively using it in the real world. We need to embrace the dynamic … Continue reading From Knowledge to Agency Developing agency in a changing world – cultivating the capacity to act
Don’t Do Knowledge Management ** The Four Levels of Knowledge Management Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter Is knowledge power, or is it potential power? And if knowledge is not power, what is power? A little history The phrase “knowledge is power” is a popular translation of the Latin aphorism “scientia potentia est” (or “scientia … Continue reading Knowledge Is Not Power Our ability to influence people is power
Knowledge Is Not Power Is “useless Knowledge” Useless? Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter Knowledge Management has evolved since the mid-90s, shifting from managing information to building collective knowledge. The challenge lies in adapting KM practices to meet today’s complex needs. A four-level framework can provide a structured approach, helping organizations move from information … Continue reading The Four Levels of Knowledge Management The relation between Conversational Leadership and Knowledge Management
