Part 4/9:
Embracing Agency
At the heart of Ericson's philosophy is the concept of agency—the capacity to initiate actions towards achieving one's goals. He posits that agency, rather than intelligence, is the distinguishing trait of successful individuals. By focusing on one's ability to enact change in their own life, Ericson believes that individuals can learn to navigate failures and persist towards their objectives.
"Intelligence is only necessary, not sufficient," he explains, illustrating that the ability to act upon one's knowledge is what truly empowers individuals. He urges listeners to cultivate this sense of agency within themselves and their children, encouraging a mindset that embraces risks and failures in pursuit of learning and growth.