Thrive Zones Part II: The Rise and Fall of Communities

From North Korea to Palestine to Hollywood — How They Rise and How They Fall

12 min readOct 30, 2024

“To make us love our country, our country ought to be lovely. “
— Scottish Renaissance historian, Edmund Burke

Throughout history, the most enduring beliefs — rooted in works like the Bible, the Quran, the Vedas, and the Buddhist sutras — have shared a powerful way to unite communities. Leaders guided their people with wisdom, values, and purpose, and by doing so, built a foundation that endured for centuries.

Thrive Zones, in their own way, echo this legacy. They’re real places where mentors inspire shared habits — ‘mantras’ — that ignite a common vision. These mantras unite the community, whether a small group, a large organization, or even an entire nation, by helping people overcome common challenges. This collaborative approach balances achieves the breakthrough necessary for progress by taking lessons from the past aligned with the needs of the present that opens the door to a future full of possibility. Like the ancient wisdom that brought entire civilizations together, Thrive Zones help people not just to survive — but to truly thrive.

You won’t necessarily find every Thrive Zone on a map or listed among TripAdvisor’s top destinations. They’re not always glamorous, and you might not find sunset yoga or herbal spas there. Thrive Zones are real communities. They can be anywhere — from a community pool in Baltimore to a small Baptist church in Georgia, from Omaha’s quiet neighborhoods to New York’s Fifth Avenue, or from the camaraderie of Navy SEALs to institutions like the Nobel Prize Institute.

What unites them is a focus on shared goals over hierarchy and an ability to evolve with the times. This balance is sustained by the Five Affirmations: mentors, mates, methods, mantras, and metrics — a framework that ensures Thrive Zones stay aligned with shared values and aspirations.

These Five Affirmations form the heart of every Thrive Zone. At the top are the mentors — the founders and leaders who set the tone. Next are the mates, the people who make up the community. Together, they develop best practices, or “methods,” which evolve through experience and refinement. Over time, these methods become guiding principles, or “mantras.” Finally, progress is measured and adjusted through “metrics” to keep everyone aligned with shared goals.

For Thrive Zones to succeed, they function as lifestyle democracies, where everyone has the right to grow and succeed. Mentors set values and inspire achievement, continuously working with the community to balance tradition and innovation. Proponents some tradition and innovation are always longer Head with one another. These arguments end up in severe public strive but achieve nothing. That is because they are not subjected to the decision of market and the metrics proof.

In a Thrive Zone, there is a natural“laboratory,” in which mentors set goals, and mates experiment, fail, and sometimes discover better ways. Through this process, the best people and ideas naturally rise to the top, ensuring ongoing renewal and growth.

But what happens when this balance between mentors and mates is lost?

When mentors overshadow the community, Thrive Zones shift into “Survival Zones,” where growth stalls, and the focus turns to maintaining the ruling elite. History shows us this shift — from once-thriving societies into places of decay and control, like Nazi Germany or Soviet Russia.

A Survival Zone is a place where freedom to grow is replaced by forced obedience, with all choice removed. When leaders become self-serving, a Thrive Zone quickly becomes a place where success is sacrificed for conformity.

In the examples that follow, you’ll see how this shift plays out in real life

You won’t find Thrive Zones on a map or on TripAdvisor’s top destinations. They aren’t always glamorous, and you might not find sunset yoga or herbal spas there, but they offer something rarer: places where purpose, resilience, and renewal embrace the spirit. Think of them as “wellness retreats” for the soul. But finding one is an art more than a science.

Thrive Zones are real communities, shaped over time by shared purpose, wise leadership, and a balance of values. They can be anywhere — as we’ll introduce you, from a community pool in Baltimore to a small Baptist church in Georgia, from Omaha’s quiet neighborhoods to New York’s Fifth Avenue, or from the camaraderie of Navy SEALs to institutions like the Nobel Prize Institute.

The reason they work so well is that they are less about hierarchy and more about shared goals. And what unites them all are the Five Affirmations: mentors, mates, methods, mantras, and metrics.

For Thrive Zones to work, they need to focus on being a lifestyle democracies, where everyone has the right to succeed. Mentors set values and inspire achievement, always convening with the community to find that intricate balance between tradition and innovation. In this laboratory, mentors set tasks, and mates experiment, fail, and sometimes find better ways. Through this process, the best people and ideas rise to the top, ensuring continuous renewal and growth.But what happens when this mentor-mate balance is lost?

When mentors overshadow the community, Thrive Zones shift into “Survival Zones,” where growth stalls, and the focus becomes maintaining the ruling elite. History has shown this before — once-thriving nations fell into decay after Nazi Germany or Soviet Russia became fortresses of control.

A Survival Zone is a place where freedom to grow is replaced by forced obedience by removing all choices. When leaders become self-serving, a Thrive Zone quickly becomes a place where success is sacrificed for conformity.

In the examples that follow, you’ll see how this shift plays out in real life.

Case Study: North vs. South Korea

“I learned in South Korea that I could choose my path. In North Korea, we only had obedience.” — Yeonmi Park, North Korean defector

North Korea remains a desperate Survival Zone, with a 30-fold difference in GNI per capita between North and South Korea in 2023 starkly illustrating how leadership in a specific geography shapes destiny. The northern part of the Korean peninsula is defined by concentrated power, economic disparity, and limited opportunity. As founder Kim Il-Sung reportedly stated, “All loyal citizens must live and die for the Supreme Leader.” This leadership model enforces a rigid hierarchy, stifling personal potential. For North Korea, mentorship is synonymous with absolute loyalty to the ruling elite.

Though North and South Korea share the same land mass, language, and 700,000 years of cultural heritage, their paths diverged when North Korea’s leaders chose control over growth in 1948. Meanwhile, South Korea’s mentorship in government, academia, and technology sectors has nurtured freedom, innovation, and collective progress, transforming the country into a global hub. Over fifty Nobel Prize nominations underscore South Korea’s Thrive Zone status. Leaders inspired by values of progress and education mentored generations to believe in opportunity and growth.

South Korean President Park Chung Hee famously stated, “To get rich, we must have knowledge.” His commitment to education and development laid the foundation for South Korea’s remarkable rise. This ethos contrasts sharply with North Korea’s, where conformity and obedience have taken precedence over personal potential.

A North Korean defector, Yeonmi Park, captured this difference in her own words: “I learned in South Korea that I could choose my path. In North Korea, we only had obedience.” Park’s story reveals how even the smallest freedoms in Thrive Zones can unlock enormous potential.

Case Study: Israel vs. Palestine

“It is not enough to be up to date; you have to build up to tomorrow.” — David Ben Gurion, Israeli Prime Minister

The histories of Israel and Arab Palestine (which, before 1948, was a single entity, home to Jews, Arabs, and Christians) illustrate a stark contrast in leadership that has played out dramatically. Israel has emerged as a global Thrive Zone, while Palestine remains beset by corruption and strife. To find an answer for this, examine the quality of mentorship.

David Ben-Gurion, Israel’s first Prime Minister, focused on nation-building through education, collaboration, and self-reliance. His forward-thinking leadership prioritized science, technology, and shared purpose, transforming Israel into a Thrive Zone where innovation flourishes despite limited resources. As he famously said, “It is not enough to be up to date; you have to build up to tomorrow.” Today, Israel’s GDP per capita stands at approximately $55,500, reflecting its highly developed economy and global competitiveness. Known as the “Startup Nation,” Israel boasts thriving sectors in technology, agriculture, and defense, consistently ranking among the world’s most innovative countries.

In contrast, Palestinian leadership — exemplified by early figure Hajj Amin al-Husseini — focused on resistance over growth. Al-Husseini, who allied with Hitler in his campaign against Jews, left a legacy in which division and state-sponsored terrorism became the primary “industries.” As he declared, “No matter how long it takes, our resistance will prevail.” This mentality has fueled cycles of violence, with young Palestinians incentivized to harm Israelis rather than build a future. Former leaders like Yasser Arafat and Ismail Haniyeh amassed personal fortunes in the billions while Palestinians endure poverty, with GDP per capita only $3,500 in the West Bank and $1,500 in Gaza — among the lowest in the region.

While neighboring Arab nations like Saudi Arabia and the UAE have moved toward moderation, Iranian funding has fueled anti-Israel extremism in Palestine, leaving many young Arabs with few alternatives to violence. Corruption in schools and mosques has further cultivated a mindset that views Israel’s destruction as the only path to a better life.

If global resources had been directed toward Palestinian innovation — Palestinians received over $40 billion in aid from 1994 to 2020, according to the OECD — Palestine could have rivaled economic powerhouses like Israel and Switzerland. Instead, they remain a hotbed of terror and among the world’s costliest Survival Zones. The reason it remains mired in poverty, and hindered by corruption, isa lack of constructive leadership.

Israel’s Thrive Zone offers opportunities to all its citizens. Rana Raslan, the first Arab-Israeli to win Miss Israel, remarked, “Israel gave me the opportunity to represent both my Arab and Israeli heritage.” Her story illustrates how a true Thrive Zone can foster success for anyone.

Case Study: Hollywood: A “Thrive Zone” for Moguls Only

Survival Zones can exist anywhere, even in Hollywood — a place celebrated for its allure but marred by control and elitism. Hollywood mirrors Survivor in many ways: a few rise to the top, while the rest struggle in an industry where compliance is rewarded and individuality can be a liability.

The Harvey Weinstein scandal exposed Hollywood’s darker side, revealing an environment where silence and obedience were often prerequisites for survival. For many women, Hollywood became a terrain of exploitation and humiliation, shifting from a potential Thrive Zone for creative expression to a Survival Zone ruled by power wielded in the shadows. Actress Mira Sorvino, a victim of Weinstein’s manipulation, said, “Speaking out was necessary, and surviving it was powerful.” Sorvino’s resilience highlights the struggle to reclaim spaces for integrity and self-expression in an environment where mentorship had devolved into control.

Additional Examples of Survival Zones

Elite Universities — Claudine Gay at Harvard: Harvard President Claudine Gay faced significant criticism for failing to address rising antisemitism on campus. Her leadership reflected a Survival Zone mentality, where institutional priorities overshadowed accountability. This created selective support, illustrating how elite institutions can devolve into Survival Zones.
Corporate Hierarchies — Bob Nardelli at Home Depot: Bob Nardelli’s rigid focus on metrics over people led to high turnover and stagnation. Home Depot struggled until a leadership change restored a more balanced approach, supporting collaboration and growth.
Caste Systems — Rohith Vemula in India: Rohith Vemula, a talented student from a marginalized caste, faced systemic discrimination that limited his opportunities. His tragic story underscores how caste-based restrictions stifle potential in Indian institutions.
Political Dynasties — The Marcos Family in the Philippines: The Marcos family’s decades-long grip on power has led to selective privilege and stifled political progress, demonstrating how dynastic control can reinforce a Survival Zone.
State-Controlled Media — Maria Ressa in the Philippines: Journalist Maria Ressa, a critic of government corruption, faced multiple arrests under President Duterte. Her case highlights how authoritarian regimes foster Survival Zones by punishing dissent. Ressa herself noted, “Being independent means speaking truth to power,” a stance that exemplifies her courage in the face of suppression.
Taliban-Controlled Regions — Malala Yousafzai in Pakistan: Malala Yousafzai’s advocacy for girls’ education under Taliban rule reveals how Survival Zones actively suppress progress, especially for women. “One child, one teacher, one book, and one pen can change the world,” she declared, illustrating her belief in education’s power to transform even the most oppressive environments.

Case Study: Pittsburgh and Silicon Valley, Hare Meets Rabbit

They might be called a “Tale of Two Thrive Zones.” The United States is a kind of Thrive Zone incubator, empowering diverse cultures to flourish in ways that Survival Zones would never permit.

Silicon Valley’s transformation from “The Valley of Heart’s Delight” to the world’s innovation capital was driven by visionary mentors like Frederick Terman, Stanford’s engineering dean. Terman championed cross-disciplinary collaboration and a risk-taking ethos, nurturing talents like Hewlett and Packard. Under his mentorship, Silicon Valley became a Thrive Zone — where “the next big thing” was always within reach, moving at a pace few other regions could match. Terman himself saw mentorship as the key to continual innovation, famously stating, “The next step forward is always just around the corner.”

In contrast, Pittsburgh’s Thrive Zone has developed on a steadier track, emphasizing practical problem-solving over rapid breakthroughs. This legacy began with Carnegie Mellon, founded by Andrew Carnegie in 1900, as the “Stanford of Pittsburgh.” Carnegie envisioned a practical, skills-based training school for working-class Pittsburghers, laying the foundation for cutting-edge technological development in the region. “My aspirations take a higher flight. Mine be it to have contributed to the enlightenment and the joys of the mind, to the things of the spirit, and especially to the things which teach the aspiring to rise.”

Today, leaders at Carnegie Mellon, like Professor Andrew Moore, continue to guide the region’s focus on expertise and consistent progress over flash. “If there’s something serious involving mathematics, put a team together here,” Moore explains. Jason Gries of InnovatePGH adds, “Pittsburgh isn’t hunting unicorns; it’s building exits.”

One notable success story from Pittsburgh is Duolingo, a language-learning app that grew into a leader in educational technology. CEO Luis von Ahn emphasizes Pittsburgh’s grounded approach, saying, “We built this to make education accessible, not for the unicorn status.” Von Ahn’s values reflect how Pittsburgh’s Thrive Zone fosters the Carnegie vision of success without chasing the high-speed intensity often associated with Silicon Valley.

Thrive Zones: Do the Math

1. Results Over Rhetoric
The proof of a Thrive Zone is results, not rhetoric. This distinction matters because Survival Zones are often led by propagandists who tell pleasing stories but conceal their worst intentions. The metrics will see plainly who is leading a Thrive Zone and who is forcing people to barely survive.

2. Balance Is Key
Thrive Zones don’t just empower leaders; they cultivate systems where Mentors, Mates, Methods, Mantras, and Metrics coexist in harmony. In Thrive Zones, ambition thrives, innovation breathes, common sense prevails, and controlled chaos drives resilience and growth.

3. Mentorship vs. Dominance
Thrive Zones foster creativity and collaboration, while Survival Zones prioritize dominance, reducing mates — the ordinary people — to subordinates. Self-preservation eclipses progress, stifling collaboration and opportunity, and eroding success.

4. Mentorship Sets the Tone
A community is shaped by its mentors’ values, determining whether people can thrive or merely survival. Survival Zones sacrifice the individual to serve the State, often meaning the ambitions of a select few.

5. Identify and Avoid Survival Zones
Survival Zones enforce conformity, while Thrive Zones encourage individuality. The differences in economic and social outcomes are stark. If you find yourself in a Survival Zone, leave. To achieve something meaningful, seek a Thrive Zone.

How Thrive Zones Work

Imagine stepping into a place where everything aligns with your ambitions, sparking new confidence and creativity, and revitalizes your spirit. The subjects we interviewed all found such a place, some by chance, others had to shape them for themselves one bold decision at a time.

Geography played a role, for example, Warren Buffett was born into his; But just as likely, geography can guide us, but it doesn’t define us. Even in difficult situations, like John McCain’s time as a POW in North Vietnam, people have found their Thrive Zones through resilience and purpose.

Thrive Zones represent opportunities and choices. Alexander Graham Bell once said, “When one door closes, another opens; but we often look so long and regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the ones which open for us.” Thrive Zones are those open doors, but we must be willing to step through them. When Matisse found Collioure, he didn’t just notice the opportunity — he ran into it.

Whether you find your Thrive Zone through a deep exploration or just test the waters, it is about finding where you fit. By taking calculated risks, surrounding yourself with the right people, and aligning your work with purpose and values that speak to you, you can create an environment where you’re not just surviving — you’re thriving.