Luck is often seen as a mysterious force—something that happens to you, like stumbling upon a four-leaf clover or winning a raffle. But in my years guiding corporate tax departments, running marathons, and serving as a nonprofit board member, I’ve learned that luck isn’t just random chance. High agency people—those who take ownership of their paths and proactively shape their outcomes—don’t wait for luck to find them. They make it happen. Here’s how they do it, and how you can too.
What Is High Agency?
High agency is the mindset of seeing yourself as the driver of your own destiny. It’s about refusing to be a passive bystander in your career or life. Whether I’m advising a tax department on streamlining processes or lacing up for my 17th marathon, high agency means identifying challenges, taking responsibility, and acting decisively to create opportunities. It’s not about having all the answers—it’s about trusting you can find them.
1. They Embrace Systems Over Serendipity
High agency people don’t rely on happy accidents. They build systems to create predictable outcomes. In my work with tax technology, I’ve seen how structured processes—like automating compliance workflows or optimizing data integration—turn chaos into opportunity. A corporate tax team bogged down by manual data entry isn’t “unlucky”; they’re stuck in a bad system. High agency means auditing your current setup, identifying inefficiencies, and implementing tools to make success inevitable.
Take a page from Aesop’s Fables, as I explored in my newsletter: the ant didn’t survive winter by hoping for warmth—it prepared relentlessly. Similarly, whether you’re a tax professional or a business leader, map out your goals, break them into actionable steps, and execute. Luck favors the prepared.
Action Step: Identify one repetitive task in your work or life that drains your energy. Research one tool or process to automate or streamline it this week.
2. They Act Despite Uncertainty
High agency people don’t wait for perfect conditions. When I was completing my MBA at Cleveland State University while working full-time as a Senior Tax Analyst, I didn’t have the luxury of waiting for a “better time” to advance my career. I acted—balancing night classes, work, and family—because I knew growth required movement, even when the path wasn’t clear.
In tax technology, I’ve advised teams hesitant to adopt new software because of “what-ifs.” What if it fails? What if it’s too complex? High agency people flip the script: What if it works? What if it saves hours? They take calculated risks, test solutions, and learn from outcomes. This proactive mindset turns ambiguity into a breeding ground for opportunity.
Action Step: Pinpoint one decision you’ve been delaying due to uncertainty. Commit to a small, low-risk action to move forward—schedule a demo, run a pilot, or seek advice from a mentor.
3. They Build Networks That Amplify Opportunities
Luck often comes through relationships, but high agency people don’t leave networking to chance. As an Eagle Scout and a member of the Knights of Columbus, I’ve seen how communities create unexpected opportunities—not by accident, but through intentional engagement. Whether it’s collaborating with colleagues on a tax automation project or sharing insights at a nonprofit board meeting, showing up consistently builds trust and opens doors.
High agency people invest in relationships before they need them. They ask questions, offer value, and stay connected. When I advise tax departments, I don’t just focus on tech—I connect people to the right resources, whether it’s a vendor, a peer, or a new perspective. Those connections often lead to “lucky” breakthroughs.
Action Step: Reach out to one person in your network this week—a colleague, mentor, or industry contact. Offer a specific insight or resource without expecting anything in return.
4. They Reframe Setbacks as Springboards
High agency people don’t see failure as the opposite of luck—they see it as raw material. When a tax software implementation hits a snag, I don’t dwell on the setback. I analyze what went wrong, adjust the process, and move forward. This mindset, honed through years of marathon running, applies to any challenge: setbacks are data, not destiny.
Consider Aesop’s “The Tortoise and the Hare.” The tortoise didn’t win by being faster—he won by staying focused and persistent. High agency people reframe obstacles as opportunities to refine their approach, making “luck” a byproduct of resilience.
Action Step: Reflect on a recent setback. Write down one lesson it taught you and one action you can take to turn it into an opportunity.
5. They Commit to Lifelong Growth
Finally, high agency people are relentless learners. My journey—from NCAA Division 1 mascot to MBA graduate to tax technology advisor—wasn’t a straight line. It was a series of deliberate choices to grow, adapt, and seek new challenges. Whether it’s staying current on tax software trends or learning leadership lessons from ancient fables, I’m always investing in my own development.
High agency people don’t wait for someone to hand them knowledge. They seek it out—through books, mentors, or hands-on experiments. This constant growth ensures they’re always in the right place at the right time, ready to seize opportunities others might call “luck.”
Action Step: Dedicate 30 minutes this week to learning something new in your field. Read an article, watch a webinar, or experiment with a new tool.
Making Your Own Luck
High agency isn’t about being superhuman—it’s about taking ownership of your path. By building systems, acting despite uncertainty, nurturing networks, reframing setbacks, and committing to growth, you create the conditions for “luck” to happen. As a tax technology advisor, I’ve seen this approach transform departments from reactive to proactive, turning challenges into opportunities.
So, don’t wait for a lucky break. Start today. Take one small, intentional step toward a goal. You’ll be amazed at how quickly “luck” starts finding you.
Ryan Stemen, MBA, is a trusted advisor guiding corporate tax departments in leveraging technology, automation, and process improvements for growth. Connect with Ryan on LinkedIn or explore his insights at ryanstemen.com.
Ryan Stemen, MBA 