As students and faculty of West Texas A&M, we are familiar with Gallup’s StrengthsQuest. WTAMU is partnering with the Gallup, Inc. to become a strengths-based campus, which will engage students in challenging and meaningful experiences that aid in their intellectual and personal development. It is important to know our strengths because they help us discover and talk about people’s greatest talents.

Myles Smith, a graduate student studying Communication, presented the theme of the week, Developer, to students and faculty last Thursday to deepen the theme’s unique characteristics. Myles’ strengths, in order, are Achiever, Learner, Individualization, Developer and Competition. People exceptionally talented in the Developer theme recognize and cultivate the potential in others. They spot the signs of each small improvement and derive satisfaction from evidence in progress. Developers see the raw potential and incremental progress of others, and they actively invest in furthering that development. Their help and encouragement enable others to learn, grow, and improve. As a result, they help groups develop bench strength and ensure a successful future for individuals and teams. Overall, Developer is about human growth. Developers are bold, brave, and see the potential in others.

Myles says, “[Developer] is not about you. It’s about developing others.”

Other words used to describe a Developer are coach, mentor, teacher, and encourager.

Gallup.com says that Developer sees potential in others. They go on the say that, “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. When you interact with others, your goal is to help them experience success. 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.”

Like every other theme, Developer goes through its own developmental journey. A raw Developer can be picky and say ‘we can do better’ and become over critical. A mature Developer is patient and says ‘we will do better’ and has a compassionate attitude. To flourish as a Developer, Gallup.com says to, “Seek roles in which your primary responsibilities will be in facilitating growth.” Myles has been a part of many organizations on campus. He says when he leaves organizations he wants to look back and say, “I helped that grow.” He continues by saying, “It’s always been about ‘okay, I’ve left an org, now can I fill that gap?’ If I know I’ll step out of my role soon, I see how I can transition someone into my position. How do we keep the ball rolling?”

Developers are patient, investing, and have a commitment (time and energy) to human growth. Erin Hanson, author and poet, summarizes Developer by saying, “There is freedom in waiting for you on the breezes of the sky. And you ask “what if I fall?” Oh, but my darling, what if you fly?”