Micro Improvements, Mega Impact Part-3: Micro-Improvements approach restores agency

Micro-Improvements approach restores Agency.

Agency is defined as one’s independent capability to act for one’s own as well as collective well-being. In a complex, real-world system, there are factors, actors and interactions that are beyond one’s locus of control. Thus, any conversation around systemic change that dwells upon intermediate and long-term change (outcomes) inherently leaves actors with a sense of lack of agency.

On the other hand, the micro-improvements approach helps the actor to break down the idea into simple, doable and feasible actionable tasks, and even modify it to suit their context, such that they can easily be carried out by individuals in the system. The approach enables the practitioners to realize what resources they HAVE access to, and how can they put these resources to use such that they CAN achieve a tangible, micro-improvement. The success encourages them to WISH for more. “There is a need for these ‘‘early wins’ in the system wherein within the first couple of months, there appear to be ‘tangible’ pieces of evidence to inspire the confidence that the goals which one is striving for are indeed achievable.”, says Jody Spiro in her book, High Payoff Strategies.

Thus, the approach enables a virtuous cycle of regenerative change powered by the mantra of I have, I can, I wish among the practitioners, thereby restoring their agency.

This is a four part series on Micro Improvements. Read the previous pieces on how micro improvements is just another term for change and the scientific rationale behind it and the following piece on how micro improvements catalyse exponential social change.

Meet the Author

Khushboo Awashi

A management professional turned education enthusiast, Khushboo is the Co-Founder & Chief Operating Officer of ShikshaLokam - an education leadership catalyst and Mantra4Change, a non-profit driving systemic public schools transformation in the Indian education system. With 13+ years of diverse experience in education and healthcare domain she is recipient of Women Transforming India Awards 2021 instituted by NITI Aayog, a Schwab Social Innovator of the Year 2023 and is part of BW Education 40 Under 40 Power List 2022. Khushboo is a travel enthusiast, a curious learner and an avid reader. Her interests lie in exploring concepts of agency, networks, large scale social movements and societal role of technology in encouraging co-creation and collaboration.