The builder mindset can't create more value than what it puts in.

It requires a living thing adjacent to the built thing to create growth and upside.

For example, an ecosystem of use, or having word-of-mouth growth from your users.

The gardener mindset is about focusing most on the living thing and seeing the built thing as secondary (e.g. a trellis).

Both builders and gardeners need to rely on built things and living things.

The thing that distinguishes them is: which of the two do you focus on first and foremost: the built thing or the living thing?