Extreme Agency
The single most important future skill — according to Palantir CTO Shyam Sankar — and exactly how to develop it
Shyam Sankar (Palantir CTO) on why extreme agency is the skill that matters most in the AI era
What “Extreme Agency” Actually Means
In the AI era, technical skills, knowledge, and even coding ability are becoming commoditized. You can learn them on the fly or let AI handle the heavy lifting. What remains scarce — and what will separate those who thrive from those who don’t — is extreme agency.
Agency is the combination of:
- Initiative & ownership — seeing what needs to happen and just starting, without waiting for permission or detailed instructions.
- Resourcefulness — figuring things out, removing obstacles, and using any tool (especially AI) to get results.
- Internal locus of control — genuinely believing your actions can change outcomes.
- Bias toward action + conviction — not overthinking, not getting stuck in analysis paralysis or office politics.
It’s the meta-skill that lets a human direct AI (and themselves) to create real impact.
The Shyam Sankar Take (Palantir CTO)
When asked what single piece of advice he’d give his own children right now, Shyam Sankar answered with two words:
“Agency. Extreme agency.
I think all the other skills you’ll be able to figure out as you go.”
He explains that AI is reversing the 20th-century “managerial revolution” — the layers of bureaucracy, middle managers, and approval processes that sucked power away from the people who actually do the work. With AI, that bureaucracy is collapsing.
People with agency can now directly build, test, and deploy solutions. Sankar points to non-computer-scientists in the military who are shipping real AI apps in weeks because they simply do it instead of writing PowerPoints to convince a program manager.
The scarce resource is no longer “knowing how to code” or any specific technical skill. It’s the mindset and drive to identify a problem, take ownership, believe your effort can actually move the needle, and relentlessly push until it does.
Why Agency Is Now the Only Thing That Matters
VC Logan Bartlett (Redpoint) makes the same point: AI has completely changed hiring. “Agency might be the only thing that matters” when looking for talent who can both do the job and actually will do it autonomously.
AI commoditizes skills and execution. Agency is what remains scarce — the superpower that lets ordinary people achieve extraordinary results in a world where anyone can access world-class intelligence tools.
The 5 Levels of High Agency
For a practical, day-to-day breakdown of what high agency looks like, see The 5 Levels of High Agency. It’s the clearest model I’ve found for moving from simply reporting problems to owning solutions end-to-end — both for people and for the AI agents we’re building.
Manifesting at a High Agency Level
Once you operate with high agency, the next skill is learning how to deliberately direct your mind. See How to Manifest with Neuroscience for Dr. James Doty’s practical method of embedding intentions using writing, speaking, and visualization.
How to Develop Extreme Agency (Practical Guide)
Agency isn’t something you’re born with — it’s a muscle you build through deliberate practice. Here’s a daily training regimen:
1. Start Before You’re Ready
Every day, pick one small thing that needs doing and ship it without asking permission or waiting for perfect instructions. The goal is speed of iteration, not perfection.
2. Take Radical Ownership
When you see a problem, assume it’s yours to solve. Write down: “What would I do if this were 100% my responsibility?” Then do it.
3. Use AI as Your Force Multiplier
Instead of saying “I don’t know how,” ask: “How can I use AI to figure this out right now?” Treat AI as your 24/7 co-founder.
4. Build an Internal Locus of Control
Replace “I hope someone fixes this” with “I will make this happen.” Track one “agency win” every day in a simple journal.
5. Ship Fast, Learn Faster
Set a 48-hour rule: any idea worth pursuing must have a prototype or first action within two days. Momentum beats overthinking every time.
6. Eliminate Excuses
Whenever you catch yourself saying “I can’t because…”, reframe it as “How can I make this possible with the resources I have right now?”
Start Today
The beautiful part about extreme agency is that it compounds. One small act of ownership today creates the confidence for bigger moves tomorrow. In an AI world that rewards speed and initiative more than credentials, agency is the ultimate unfair advantage.
Ready to build yours? Pick one thing right now — no matter how small — and ship it before the day ends.
Your future self (and your kids) will thank you.