Developer (VMI-D)

Developers are experts at cutting through the fluff to get at what matters. They’re success-driven no matter what area they engage in – once Developers set a goal, they push hard with quiet determination and sharply logical tactics. This type’s inner wheels of creativity enable their journey forward.

They may not offer many suggestions at first, instead preferring to avoid the limelight and stay quiet about their ideas until they’re ready. They think long and hard about their proposals, pulling upon their existing knowledge until their ideas are fully formed and ready to be acted upon. Developers seek a deep understanding of different areas and topics by looking for the core principles and thinking them through.

When they do decide upon an approach or a course of action, it’s organized and logical. Their elaborate plans make even the most confusing situations seem clear and navigable, at least to them. Developers are systematic, learning for the sake of ensuring success. They familiarize themselves with every component they see as necessary for their goals, disliking leaving things to fate.

This purposeful drive is balanced with inquisitive reflection, their love of understanding providing a deeper sense of motivation. Developers are prepared to change their views or adopt different approaches when it makes sense or aids in achieving their goals. They’ll willingly hear the ideas and opinions of other people, but evaluate them using their own knowledge and reasoning.

When evaluating, this type appreciates core merit more than surface gloss. Developers don’t hold titles or social status in high regard, looking past them to find more profound underlying truths. This type is cautious in confrontation and dissent, however. When entering into discussions to change someone’s mind or question their conclusions, they’ll also show that they’re interested in what makes sense and will likely lead to success.

Although they’ll rarely confront others directly, especially if it’s uncalled for, Developers can have sharp tongues when they perceive critical errors as causing harm. Counterproductive practices, foolhardy suggestions, points supported by shaky logic or personal beliefs, and lack of accountability are all things that frustrate this type.

This isn’t to say that Developers always require that other people agree with them or hold the same views – although they find it very satisfying. They more deeply value being allowed to proceed as they think is best, and try to show that their approach makes sense through the effects of their efforts. They like proof by example, when possible, and this can often be a road to compromise.

Despite their lofty intentions, this type doesn’t always insist on going their own way. When given a logical reason, Developers are prepared to accept and act on approaches they find less than optimal, as long as they’re good enough. They require a certain level of effectiveness to believe in a course of action, but they understand that efficiency sometimes precludes perfection.

For this type, satisfaction doesn’t always mean being right; it means feeling as though their energy accomplished something worthwhile – even if compromises and stumbles happen along the way. Nothing pleases them more than a successful outcome, and they struggle to accept failure, especially their own. Luckily, it doesn’t take more than a good conversation about exciting possibilities to put them back in a vigorously creative frame of mind.