We Are the Leaders We Are Seeking

Written By TheLeadershipRemix .

For generations, we’ve been conditioned to look upward for leadership—waiting for the right person to step up, take charge, and guide us through uncertainty. But the question that burns within me is: what if the leaders we’re seeking are already here, among us, and within us? In a world shaped by neoliberal values that prioritize individualism and proxy power, it’s time to rethink what leadership really means and recognize the transformative potential of agency—personal, proxy, and collective—in each of our lives.

The Three Faces of Agency: Personal, Proxy, and Collective

Agency is the power to act, to influence, and to shape outcomes. Social cognitive theory, as articulated by Albert Bandura (2018), identifies three forms of agency:

  • Personal Agency: The ability to act independently and make choices that impact your own life. This is the spark that motivates someone to begin a project, advocate for themselves, or take initiative in their community.

  • Proxy Agency: The act of depending on others—leaders, institutions, or representatives—to act on your behalf. Proxy agency is crucial in complex societies, but excessive reliance on it can result in passivity and disempowerment.

  • Collective Agency: The ability of groups to collaborate toward shared goals, leveraging the strength of coordinated action and mutual support. This serves as the driving force behind social movements, community organizing, and collaborative problem-solving.

In contemporary society, especially under the guiding forces that make up neoliberalism (more on that in another blog), proxy agency is often overemphasized. We are encouraged to “leave it to the experts” or wait for someone else to fix systemic problems. We believe that “doing our part” simply means voting in the people who posit to have the answers that we need. This mindset diminishes our sense of personal and collective power, reinforcing isolation and undermining the possibility of real change. We have to take power and pride in our abilities that help shape the situations and realities that we want our elected leaders to help navigate.

Repositioning Proxy Agency: Why We All Need to Lead

While proxy agency has its place, especially in representative systems like democracy, it must not overshadow the importance of personal and collective agency. When we hand over all our power to proxies, we risk becoming bystanders in our own lives and communities. The antidote is to reclaim our roles as active participants and co-creators of the future. It is also essential to recognize that we all contribute, in various ways, to the circumstances that surround us. We have a duty to be aware and knowledgeable about what we need from our leaders. Lastly, the term “elected leaders” certainly references our political leaders, but it also encompasses those we choose to support with our money, time, and attention. The businesses we patronize and the influencers we give credence to are included in this measure. In the face of recognizing and reprioritizing proxy agency, we must recognize that:

  • Personal agency is about recognizing that your actions matter, no matter how small. It’s the foundation of innovation, responsibility, and resilience. How we use our personal agency should support, enhance, and inform the actions that we want our proxy leaders to take.

  • Collective agency is about joining forces with others, pooling resources and ideas, and believing that together, we can achieve what none of us could alone. This is especially vital for addressing complex challenges that require more than individual effort. The issues that we face as a society are complex and have been decades in the making. We have to understand that no matter how compelling the glamour or proxy (and personal) agency, collective agency and action are primary in ensuring that we all thrive.

The Role of Efficacy: Belief as the Catalyst for Action

Central to agency is the concept of efficacy—the belief in our ability (individually or as a group) to make a difference. Self-efficacy is the conviction that you can effect change in your own life; collective efficacy is the shared belief that a group can achieve its goals together.

Research shows that efficacy is a powerful motivator. When people believe their actions matter, they are more likely to take risks, persist through setbacks, and inspire others to join them. In contrast, low efficacy leads to apathy, resignation, and disengagement—the very conditions that perpetuate the status quo.

We, the Masses, Have the Power — If We Choose to Use It

Neoliberal systems often reduce people to “bundles of skills and assets” (Gershon, 2011),  viewing us through an economic lens and prioritizing self-optimization over social connection. This perspective breeds competition and isolation, but it can be challenged by fostering environments that nurture all three forms of agency. We need leaders at all levels to understand the importance of the following four pillars to establish spaces of collective efficacy, agency, and action.

  • Fostering self- and collective efficacy in teams and communities leads to greater innovation, responsibility, and resilience.

  • Building inclusive cultures ensures that everyone’s voice is valued and that diverse perspectives contribute to shared solutions.

  • Leveraging collective intelligence allows us to solve problems that are too big for any one person or leader.

  • Using critical and relational lenses helps us recognize and dismantle power structures that perpetuate inequality and exclusion.

Becoming the Leaders We Seek

The truth is, every one of us can be a leader—not just in title, but in action, influence, and intention. Leadership is not the domain of a select few; it is a collective practice rooted in agency and efficacy. By believing in our own capacity and the power of our communities, we can challenge the isolating effects of neoliberalism and build a more just, equitable, and humane world.

Now is the time to stop waiting for someone else to lead. We are the leaders we seek. The power to act, to change, and to create a better future is already in our hands—if only we choose to use it.


References:

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