Path OF Value • Stage 5 of 8

The Value Creator Stage

"I Must Create Value"

Building Initial Success

What's Really Happening

The Value Creator stage represents the critical transition from organizational commitment to tangible value delivery. People are thinking, "We're committed to this approach—now we need to make it work and prove this was the right decision."

This involves the intense focus and pressure that comes with implementation responsibility, where individuals must transform conviction into measurable results while managing the complex dynamics of organizational change.

Key Insight

Value Creators need implementation support and obstacle removal, not oversight and performance pressure—they're already motivated to succeed but need enablement to overcome barriers.

Quick Recognition: What You'll Notice

What They Think

"We're committed to this approach—now we need to execute successfully and prove value"

"How do we overcome implementation challenges while maintaining momentum?"

What They Feel

Determination to succeed balanced with implementation pressure and accountability concerns

Excitement about creating meaningful change combined with urgency to demonstrate value

What They Do

Actively implement while coordinating team efforts and removing adoption barriers

Document successes and learnings for continuous improvement and stakeholder communication

Experience by Organizational Level

Individual Contributors

Focus on mastering new approaches while demonstrating personal productivity improvements. Need to prove effectiveness without disrupting existing responsibilities.

"I'm committed to making this work in my daily routine"

Managers

Focus on enabling team adoption while demonstrating departmental improvements. Need to manage change effectively while maintaining performance standards.

"I need to prove departmental value while ensuring smooth adoption"

Executives

Focus on proving strategic value while enabling enterprise-wide transformation. Managing comprehensive transformation across multiple departments.

"I need to prove enterprise value without disrupting operations"

Natural Progression Patterns

People typically enter the Value Creator stage when organizational commitment transforms into implementation responsibility. This transition occurs when planning and preparation give way to execution focus—they move from building support to delivering results.

Natural movement toward the Adopter stage occurs when implementation effort begins generating measurable value and personal satisfaction. Value Creators begin thinking, "This is actually working better than we expected."

Progression Trigger

The shift from "We need to make this work" to "This is working better than expected, and we're seeing genuine value creation."

What Works and What Doesn't

🚩 Red Flags (Creates Friction)

Oversight Without Support: Monitoring progress without providing obstacle removal
Artificial Timeline Pressure: Imposing external deadlines that ignore natural learning curves
Generic Implementation Plans: Standardized approaches instead of context-specific support
Success Measurement Misalignment: Focusing on activity metrics rather than value indicators

✅ Green Flags (Enables Flow)

Implementation Partnership: Collaborating to overcome obstacles and optimize approaches
Capability Development: Training, resources, and expert guidance enabling skill mastery
Adaptive Planning: Adjusting timelines based on learning and organizational realities
Value-Focused Measurement: Tracking meaningful outcomes and progress indicators

The Value Path Approach

Create Conditions for Implementation Success: Provide comprehensive implementation support including training, expert guidance, and obstacle removal assistance.
Enable Team Adoption: Support team adoption processes that honor natural learning curves and individual variation in readiness.
Provide Change Management Resources: Help navigate organizational dynamics and stakeholder concerns that emerge during implementation.
Recognize Authentic Value Creation Signals: Watch for improved outcomes, increased satisfaction, and natural expansion of adoption.

Success Indicators

For the Individual

Demonstrating increasing confidence and competence in implementation efforts
Developing effective approaches and overcoming obstacles successfully
Feeling empowered to adapt and optimize with comprehensive support
Discussing value realization and expansion opportunities

For the Organization

Implementation patterns showing steady progress and expanding adoption
Value creation activities emerging naturally
Key stakeholders engaged in removing organizational barriers
Natural expansion signals through demonstrated success

Pro Tip

The most successful Value Creator support feels like strategic partnership rather than vendor management—focus on enabling their implementation success rather than monitoring their compliance with your methodology.

Enabling Implementation Success

Supporting the Value Creator stage effectively requires implementation partnership, capability development, and adaptive support that honors natural learning curves. When organizations provide resources and expertise that help committed implementers succeed, they create the conditions for sustainable transformation and genuine value realization.

Next: The Adopter Stage All Presentations