# Developer 伯乐 Domain: 🟦 Relationship Building ### Signature Theme Description You see the potential in others. Very often, in fact, potential is all you see. In your view no individual is fully formed. On the contrary, each individual is a work in progress, alive with possibilities. And you are drawn toward people for this very reason. When you interact with others, your goal is to help them experience success. You look for ways to challenge them. You devise interesting experiences that can stretch them and help them grow. And all the while you are on the lookout for the signs of growth —a new behavior learned or modified, a slight improvement in a skill, a glimpse of excellence or of “flow” where previously there were only halting steps. For you these small increments —invisible to some —are clear signs of potential being realized. These signs of growth in others are your fuel. They bring you strength and satisfaction. Over time many will seek you out for help and encouragement because on some level they know that your helpfulness is both genuine and fulfilling to you. ### Shared Theme Description People who are especially talented in the Developer theme recognize and cultivate the potential in others. They spot the signs of each small improvement and derive satisfaction from these improvements. ### Additional notes: Developers are "stretchers", they help people stretch their talents (source: 2) A manager who's strengths is in Developer can use these 3 questions to help team grow: 1. What do I need from you?", 2. "What do you need from me?", and 3. "How can we hold each other accountable until our next meeting?" (source: 2) Developers recognize potential in other people, and you gently nudge them toward that improvement. You are especially delighted with other people's moments of discovery and growth. Blind spots is that Developer is ultimately others-focused. However, you cannot be world-class at developing others if you're not also taking care of yourself. (source: 3) "By the yard, it's hard; but inch by inch, it's a cinch!" That saying aptly applies to the perspective of those with Developer in their Top 5. Incremental progress is the best and most effective way to realize potential. (source: 4) ### Raw and Mature - Raw Developer is picky, while mature Developer is patient. - Mature Developer doesn't focus on what is missing, but rather, on what is coming. - Raw Developer can be critical and mature Developer is compassionate. - Raw Developer thinks, "You have a long way to go." Mature Developer thinks, "Together we grow." ### Helps and Hinders ***Helps*** - You are genuinely interested in other people's progress. You see improvement opportunities they may not see for themselves. - You instinctively know that development takes time and personal investment. As such, you tend to be patient with others and encourage them to invest in themselves -- while you invest in them as well. - Development requires a safe space where people can experiment with ideas and actions, without fear of repercussions if they fail. You provide that for others; failure is part of the learning process, and the only mistake is the one from which nothing is learned. - You encourage growth through celebrating others' successes. No matter how incremental the growth, it is always worth celebrating. ***Hinders*** - Your delight in seeing incremental growth in the potential of low performers may lead you to ignore the accomplishments of the stars on your team. Remember that all individuals -- even the most talented performers -- have room for and the desire for growth and development. - If you lead a team, your natural tendency to focus on slow, incremental growth may lead you to invest too much time in those on your team whose talent is not a fit to their role. Remember: An investment in C talent can only yield -- at the most -- C+ results. - You may become so invested in others that you forget to invest in your own development. Remember to take time to foster your own growth. Find specific ways to turn your talents into strengths. - Some people are not interested in their own development and are satisfied with their performance -- even if you see the potential that they don't. Sometimes you will need to know when to focus your attention on those who will appreciate your growth-orientation. (source: 4) ### With other Themes: ![[🟦 CS_Empathy#^e7db5c]] ![[🟪 CS_Restorative#^f5e9fc]] #CS/Developer🟦 #CS/Connectedness🟦 **Connectedness** says, We're here for a reason, **Developer says**, whatever the reason we're here, I can help you grow from it. (source: 3) #CS/Developer🟦 #CS/Positivity🟦 The outcome of **Developer** and **Positivity** looks very similar, but the motivation is different. **Positivity** sets the tone for energy and for emotion. "You can do it!" **Developer** sets the exploration of learning and improvement. "I can help. And then you'll know how to do it." (source: 3) #CS/Developer🟦 #CS/Positivity🟦 #CS/Individualization🟦 **Developer**, **Positivity** and maybe **Individualization** in that package can be so powerful to the human elements of a team. (source: 3) ^630363 #CS/Developer🟦 #CS/Individualization🟦 Partner with someone with strong **Individualization** talents. They can help you see where each person’s greatest talents lie. Without this help, your **Developer** instincts might lead you to encourage people to grow in areas in which they lack real talent. ^74a13b #CS/Developer🟦 and #CS/Maximizer🟧 **Developer** and **Maximizer** similar in that they both are likely to be focused on progress. • **Developer** notices and promotes growth in others while **Maximizer** notices and promotes excellence. • That excellence may be centered in other people, but not necessarily. Excellence may be a design, a product, a system, or a performance. **Developer** is first and foremost interested in the development of people. • **Maximizers** tend to narrow their focus on what can be built from good to great or (better yet!) great to excellent. **Developers**, helping someone grow from C to C+ is energizing -- while Maximizers would consider such an investment a waste of time. • Those high in **Maximizer** love a maximum return on investment, while those high in **Developer** love any human potential and progress. (source: 5) ^06b3e0 ------------ Sources: 1 Theme Descriptions: Rath, Tom. _StrengthsFinder 2.0_. Gallup Press, 2007. 2 [Developer: Learning to Love All 34 Talent Themes](https://www.gallup.com/cliftonstrengths/en/250937/developer-learning-love-talent-themes.aspx) 3 [Developer: Highlights From Your CliftonStrengths 34](https://www.gallup.com/cliftonstrengths/en/266732/developer-highlights-cliftonstrengths.aspx) 4 [The Developer Theme: How You Can Productively Aim Your CliftonStrengths Talent](https://www.gallup.com/cliftonstrengths/en/249773/productively-aim-developer-talents.aspx) 5 [Comparing and Contrasting CliftonStrengths Themes](https://www.gallup.com/cliftonstrengths/en/250409/comparing-contrasting-cliftonstrengths-themes.aspx) 6 [Pairing and Expanding Your Strengths: Developer](https://www.gallup.com/cliftonstrengths/en/250727/pairing-expanding-strengths-developer.aspx)