The Creator Zone: The Mindset of Responsibility, Self-worth and Impact

When I studied top private elementary schools (now over a decade ago) with the goal of socializing their practices, I discovered a simple foundational triad that underpins the teaching of almost all top schools (if not explicitly, then implicitly): Integrity, Responsibility and Empathy.

I’ve carried those principles through 15+ years of working with executives and I’ve often been struck both by how 1. those simple themes get lost in the corporate world and 2. how powerful they are for individual and organizational success. Then in hosting the Gartner Talent Angle for 5+ years, I was privileged to interview some of the top performance minds in the world, listen, think about and distill their messages. During covid and all of the mental strife that came with it, I felt a responsibility to share what I learned (which I almost talked myself out of 10x because who am I to tell others?) through 3–5 minute videos I dubbed MindEspressos. 100k views later and I knew they at least had a small impact.

From all of that, I’ve come to believe there are two simple frameworks and one over-arching concept that guide truly successful people whom I call, Creators: people who make the world better and through that commitment make themselves and their lives better. They’re more successful, have better relationships, experience a higher level of meaning and create a better world. One framework I called the Creator Zone (think of this as the compass) and the other I called the Power Zone (think of this as your performance mindset).

When ever you feel off, it’s likely you’re “out of zone”. I’m going to share the Creator Zone today and through this framework (and AI help) I will share the 60+ lessons I distilled which will eventually become a book with the above title at the end of this journey. Feel free to share agents you know ;).

Let’s talk a out the Creator Zone.

Check out the whiteboard above. You’ll see a 2x2. The vertical axis (with a nod to Mark Manson, Tony Schwartz and others) is self-worth. The important thing is not about how much self-worth you feel, it’s about where you derive your self-worth from. Many people have high self-image (how they think of themselves), but low self-worth (am I worthy?). This image-worth disconnect causes much of our internal strife. The key question to ask is: how do we evaluate ourselves throughout the day?

Is our self-worth contingent on the opinions of others, or does it stem from our own internal value system? Where you are on this axis directly correlates with the level of agency you perceive in your life. The lower one stands on this axis, the less agency you’ll feel in shaping your own destiny and the more “put upon” you feel.

Now to the X-axis, the motivation Axis (with a nod to Adam Grant’s giver-taker spectrum and the scarcity-abundance continuum by Stephen Covey and others.) This axis poses a fundamental question: Are we primarily focused on self-interest, disregarding the bigger picture, or do we actively contribute to possibilities for all thereby creating a better world and life for ourselves?

Are you trying to grab the biggest slice of the pie or create a bigger pie, two pies and/or new flavors of pie?

One big takeaway from the work of Tony Robbins and many others is that as we age, we almost universally conclude that we need to contribute.

It’s innate. We’re here to leave the world a better place.

If you’re struggling, take a moment and see where you are on this 2x2.

It is the interplay between self-worth and motivation that is instructive. Look at the lower left quadrant, where self-worth is tied to others’ opinions, and a scarcity mindset prevails. In this Victim Zone, we perpetually yearn for more, driven by the belief that there is never enough to satisfy our desires. We become trapped in a cycle of perpetual dissatisfaction, seeking external validation as our sole metric of success.

Been there.

Look to the lower right, the Pleaser Zone. In this state, individuals predominantly adopt a giving mindset, yet their self-worth remains tethered to the opinions of others. They give tirelessly, seeking validation and recognition, rather than acting from their own intrinsic value system. Unfortunately, this inclination toward people-pleasing undermines the development of authentic confidence and impedes our ability to lead fulfilled lives.

We can’t figure how why the world doesn’t love us. We give soooo much! Key question: are you giving for validation or because you want something or giving without expecting anything in return? If it’s the former, you’re not as altruistic as you think.

Now, let us flip the perspective and move to the upper left, the Controller Zone. Here, we find individuals who possess a strong value system but approach the world with a taker mentality. Because they perceive the world as limited in resources, they try control it. Their relentless pursuit of control, however, inadvertently constrains their potential and kills their relationships. In this zone, the relentless drive to accumulate for oneself becomes a self-imposed barrier to growth and stifles the flourishing of meaningful connections.

When you’re feeling in the zone, it’s likely when you’re in the Creator zone on the upper right.

Here individuals derive their self-worth from their own internal values. They are motivated by a personal value system that drives them to give to the world, expanding the pie for all. In this zone, one’s self-worth becomes intrinsically aligned with their own values and aspirations. By contributing to something greater, individuals experience a profound sense of purpose and fulfillment.

Throughout our lives (and even our days,) we inevitably find ourselves in different zones. We’ve all been and will be victims, controllers, pleasers and creators. The most important thing to be aware of is what zone you’re in and ask: Why? Is this most helpful? Where do I thrive?

When you look at the underlying motivations that guide your actions — you gain insight into yourself in the world. Are you trying to please others in the vain attempt to get extrinsic feedback or are you harnessing your intrinsic drive to make a meaningful impact? Are you blaming the world and fighting for crumbs or taking responsibility and being a Creator.

Whenever I feel out of balance, I reorient to the Creator zone.

When you actively align your actions with your values and look to create a bigger impact, you naturally will feel more self-worth and that self-worth will feed your ability to make a better world. The Creator zone unlocks your full potential.

It requires a commitment and practice. I’ve identified 10 drivers and skills that can help you stay in the zone and get you back in the zone which I’ll share (all criticism welcome.)

Be great. Create a better world. Live a better life.

Please share this around if you find it valuable and I’ll follow with the second framework next week.