Champion
"I Am a Raving Fan"
Deep dive into The Champion Stage of The Value Path: Understanding how people become passionate advocates and partners.
~3 minute deep dive into the Champion stage
What's Really Happening
The Champion stage represents the evolution from successful advocacy to industry transformation leadership. People are thinking, "This approach should be standard in our industry, and we have a responsibility to advance this methodology for everyone's benefit." Champions don't just use solutions successfully—they help create better methodologies, lead industry discussions, and enable others to achieve breakthrough results.
Champions need leadership platform development and community building support, not just recognition or case study participation—they're naturally motivated to advance entire methodologies but need resources to create industry-wide impact.
Quick Recognition
What They Think
- "This approach should become the industry standard, and we can help make that happen"
- "Our success can help create better methodologies for the entire industry"
What They Feel
- Deep commitment to advancing industry-wide transformation beyond their own success
- Fulfillment from contributing to broader professional development
What They Do
- Lead industry initiatives and standards development while building communities
- Fund or contribute to research and development of improved methodologies
What Works and What Doesn't
🚩 Red Flags
- Recognition Exploitation: Using champion status for promotional purposes
- Platform Limitation: Restricting to vendor-specific communities
- Methodology Constraints: Limiting to promoting existing approaches
- Community Ownership: Treating champion-built communities as marketing assets
✅ Green Flags
- Leadership Platform Development: Resources enabling authentic industry influence
- Community Building Support: Helping create and sustain communities of practice
- Methodology Advancement Partnership: Collaborating to improve and evolve
- Industry Influence Enablement: Supporting thought leadership through contribution
The Value Path Approach
- → Create Conditions for Industry Leadership: Provide comprehensive leadership development resources including platform access and industry connections.
- → Develop Methodology Advancement Partnerships: Help Champions contribute to improved practices and professional development.
- → Enable Community Building: Support initiatives that help Champions create and sustain professional networks.
- → Recognize Authentic Industry Impact: Watch for methodology contributions, professional recognition, and community building success.
Progression Trigger
Champions often cycle between deeper industry influence, methodology advancement, and community building while maintaining their commitment to professional excellence and industry transformation.