Agency at Work: Speaking Up, Listening, and Acting Like an Adult
Agency is one of the most overlooked—and misunderstood—skills in the workplace.
In this episode, we explore what agency at work really means and why so many people were never taught how adult communication is supposed to work in professional settings.
This conversation is for both employees and leaders:
- Employees who don’t know how to speak up when something feels off
- Leaders who want honest feedback but struggle to receive it well
- Organizations relying on HR to manage issues that should start with a conversation
What You’ll Learn in This Episode
- What agency at work actually means (and what it doesn’t)
- Why emailing HR shouldn’t be the first step for hurt feelings
- How employees can speak up respectfully and professionally
- Why leaders must learn to receive feedback without defensiveness
- The difference between discomfort and misconduct
- When HR should be involved—and when it shouldn’t
- How agency builds trust, confidence, and stronger teams
Agency is a skill, not a personality trait Avoiding hard conversations stalls growth—for everyone. Psychological safety includes honest communication, not avoidance. Leaders set the tone for whether feedback is safe or risky. HR supports the process—it doesn’t replace adult conversations.
Reflection Questions For Employees: When something feels uncomfortable at work, do I avoid the conversation or address it respectfully? Am I expecting someone else to handle situations I could address myself?
For Leaders: How do I react when I receive feedback I don’t agree with? Have I made it genuinely safe for people to speak up. What signals am I sending when someone brings me something uncomfortable?
Resources Mentioned 📘 What Training My Dog Taught Me About Leadership Practical leadership lessons, reflection prompts, and real-world insights—delivered in a relatable and engaging format.
Get your copy of my book here: Amazon.com: What Training My Dog Taught Me About Leadership: 52 Practical Lessons in Patience, Clarity, and Leading with Confidence: 9781955533478: Pearson, Marty: Books
