Path OF Value • Stage 8 of 8

The Champion Stage

"I Am a Raving Fan"

Cultivating Passionate Partners

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. They've moved from sharing success to actively building the future of their profession.

Key Insight

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 You'll Notice

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 and industry evolution

What They Do

Lead industry initiatives and standards development while building communities of practice

Fund or contribute to research and development of improved methodologies

Experience by Organizational Level

Individual Contributors

Focus on professional excellence and community leadership within their broader networks. Lead professional development initiatives and contribute to industry publications.

"This should be standard in our profession"

Managers

Focus on organizational excellence and management innovation within their networks. Lead organizational initiatives and develop training programs for other managers.

"I can help other teams achieve even better results"

Executives

Focus on industry leadership and strategic transformation within their networks. Lead industry initiatives, fund research, and build coalitions committed to advancement.

"This approach should transform our entire industry"

Natural Progression Patterns

People typically enter the Champion stage when successful advocacy creates opportunities for broader industry influence and methodology advancement. This transition occurs when sharing success transforms into leadership motivation—they move from helping others achieve results to building the future of their profession.

The Champion stage represents ongoing commitment to professional and industry advancement rather than a step toward another stage. Champions continue deepening their influence while mentoring emerging advocates.

Progression Pattern

Champions often cycle between deeper industry influence, methodology advancement, and community building while maintaining their commitment to professional excellence and industry transformation.

What Works and What Doesn't

🚩 Red Flags (Creates Friction)

Recognition Exploitation: Using champion status for promotional purposes rather than supporting leadership development
Platform Limitation: Restricting champions to vendor-specific communities instead of enabling broader influence
Methodology Constraints: Limiting to promoting existing approaches rather than supporting innovation
Community Ownership: Treating champion-built communities as marketing assets

✅ Green Flags (Enables Flow)

Leadership Platform Development: Resources and platforms enabling authentic industry influence
Community Building Support: Helping create and sustain communities of practice
Methodology Advancement Partnership: Collaborating to improve and evolve methodologies
Industry Influence Enablement: Supporting thought leadership through authentic contribution

The Value Path Approach

Create Conditions for Industry Leadership: Provide comprehensive leadership development resources including platform access, community building tools, and industry connection opportunities.
Develop Methodology Advancement Partnerships: Help Champions contribute to improved practices and professional development while maintaining credibility and expertise.
Enable Community Building: Support initiatives that help Champions create and sustain professional networks while advancing methodology development.
Recognize Authentic Industry Impact: Watch for methodology contributions, professional recognition, and community building success as indicators of genuine championship.

Success Indicators

For the Individual

Demonstrating increasing industry influence and credibility through authentic contribution
Building respected thought leadership and creating valuable communities
Feeling empowered with platform resources and methodology advancement opportunities
Naturally mentoring emerging advocates and supporting new champions

For the Organization

Industry leadership patterns showing expanding influence and recognition
Community building activities and methodology advancement projects emerging
Key industry stakeholders engaged in supporting champion development
Natural influence expansion through demonstrated contribution

Pro Tip

The most successful Champion support feels like professional development partnership rather than promotional relationship management—focus on helping them build authentic industry influence rather than recruiting them for external marketing.

Enabling Industry Leadership

The Champion stage represents the ultimate multiplication of value creation through industry transformation and professional advancement. When organizations provide platforms and resources that help successful champions build authentic industry influence rather than exploiting them for promotional purposes, they create the conditions for genuine industry transformation and sustainable competitive advantage.

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