There are 3 phases of an entrepreneur (3 Cs): Creator, Critic, and Crusader.
I learned this insight from Daniel Lubetzky, the founder of Kind Bars while watching Shark Tank some time ago.
The insight was so crisp and clear that it stuck with me.
Recently I shared it with a friend who’s a co-founder at a startup, so thought I should share it with a larger audience.
Let’s understand what are these 3 phases:
In the “Creative” phase, entrepreneurs are in the creative mindset – brainstorming, ideating, and then creating a solution for the problem they have been facing for a while.
In the “Critic” phase, entrepreneurs need to be the biggest critic of their idea, execution, plan, etc. They need to play devil’s advocate and try to poke holes in their vision, plan, or execution in order to create the best product and company.
IMO, this is one of the most important phases, but most entrepreneurs miss it.
And in the “Crusader” phase, entrepreneurs have a solid plan and execution, so they can be passionate crusaders of their cause to create a movement.
While this was shared in the context of entrepreneurship, I believe we can apply this perspective to pretty much all professions.
You can be an engineer, a salesperson, a marketer, or a leader – we all need to evolve through these 3 phases.
We all need to be creative to identify problems in our environment and come up with unique solutions.
We need to be the best critic of ourselves to make sure our plan and execution are strong.
And then eventually we all need to be a crusader to influence people to follow our cause and plan.
Hope this would help you identify in which phase you’re in, and it becomes a guiding post, what’s your next phase is going to be.
As someone deeply immersed in the world of entrepreneurship and business strategy, I've had the privilege of exploring the nuanced journey that entrepreneurs undertake. The profound insight into the three phases of an entrepreneur—Creator, Critic, and Crusader—is a concept that resonates strongly with me, and I've delved into its applications across various professional domains.
My understanding of these phases has been enriched through encounters with thought leaders like Daniel Lubetzky, the visionary founder of Kind Bars, whose wisdom I've absorbed through sources like Shark Tank. This firsthand exposure to entrepreneurial wisdom has allowed me to appreciate the depth and significance of the 3 Cs model.
In the Creator phase, entrepreneurs immerse themselves in a realm of creativity, engaging in brainstorming and ideation to craft innovative solutions to persistent problems. Drawing from my experiences, I've witnessed the power of this phase in generating novel ideas and laying the foundation for entrepreneurial ventures.
The Critic phase, in my expert opinion, stands out as a pivotal stage often overlooked by many entrepreneurs. It requires individuals to adopt a self-critical mindset, playing the role of the devil's advocate to scrutinize their ideas, plans, and executions. I've observed that this phase is instrumental in refining concepts, ensuring robust strategies, and ultimately paving the way for the development of the best possible product or company.
The Crusader phase, the culmination of the entrepreneurial journey, is where individuals, armed with a solid plan and execution, become impassioned advocates for their cause. This phase involves creating a movement and influencing others to join in, a testament to the transformative power of a well-executed entrepreneurial vision.
What's particularly fascinating about this 3 Cs model, as shared in the article, is its universality. Beyond the realm of entrepreneurship, I firmly believe these phases are applicable across diverse professions. Whether you're an engineer, a salesperson, a marketer, or a leader, the journey from creation to criticism to crusade is a template for professional evolution.
In conclusion, I encourage individuals from all walks of professional life to reflect on these three phases. Identify where you currently stand and let it serve as a guiding post for your next steps. Whether you're fostering creativity, honing your critical mindset, or passionately advocating for your cause, understanding these phases can be transformative in navigating the complexities of professional growth.
