Want to improve your team’s decision-making by up to 87%?
You need diversity of thinking — not just diversity of background.
Research shared by Forbes highlights that when teams bring together different perspectives and cognitive styles, they perform better, engage more deeply, and contribute to stronger, more inclusive cultures.
At The DISC Agency, we see this every day through our workshops and TTISI behavioural assessments — the more a team values how people think, not just what they do, the higher their performance.
What Is Diversity of Thinking?
Diversity of thinking is the range of problem-solving approaches, motivations, and communication styles people bring to a team.
It’s more than gender, age, or background — it’s about understanding the way individuals process information, make decisions, and collaborate. Tools like TTISI DISC and Driving Forces reveal these differences, helping teams leverage each person’s strengths.
So how does diversity of thinking translate to business performance?
Make Conflict Productive
Conflict in the workplace is inevitable — but when managed well, it becomes a driver of innovation and clarity.
Teams with diverse thinking styles are more likely to challenge assumptions, explore alternative viewpoints, and identify better solutions. When these differences surface, it’s an opportunity to pause and ask: What’s behind this perspective? What does this person need to feel heard and understood?
By viewing conflict through the DISC lens, teams can reframe disagreements as insight-rich discussions rather than friction points. Over time, this builds trust, reduces miscommunication, and creates a culture of healthy debate and mutual respect.
Find More Innovative Outcomes
When everyone thinks the same way, innovation stalls.
As Dr Ron Bonnstetter, TTISI’s Senior Vice President of Research, puts it:
“Innovation lives in the tension between where you are and where you want to be.”
That creative tension — the stretch between differing perspectives — sparks new ideas and growth.
If your team is made up of similar styles (for example, all High D’s or all High C’s), assumptions are made, and opportunities for innovation are lost. When you intentionally blend diverse DISC styles, you create an environment that challenges thinking and encourages creative problem-solving.
Attract and Retain Top Talent
Diversity of thought is one of the most attractive qualities for job seekers today.
According to Glassdoor, three out of four professionals say a diverse workplace is a key factor when considering a new role.
Beyond recruitment, inclusive and cognitively diverse teams are proven to outperform their peers by up to 80% in team-based assessments.
Talented people are drawn to environments where their ideas are valued, where collaboration is encouraged, and where leadership recognises the unique strengths of each team member. That’s what a DISC-driven culture looks like.
Putting Diversity of Thinking into Practice
Understanding the importance of diversity of thought is one thing — embedding it into your workplace culture is another.
Here are four practical ways to start:
Encourage Open Dialogue
Create psychological safety where people feel confident sharing new ideas or challenging opinions.
Leaders set the tone by modelling openness and curiosity.
Leverage Behavioural Assessments
Use TTISI DISC, Driving Forces, or TriMetrix EQ to uncover how your people think, communicate, and stay motivated.
These tools create a shared language, transforming “personality clashes” into understanding and connection.
Balance Teams Intentionally
When building project teams, avoid grouping “like-minded” individuals.
Instead, blend complementary DISC styles to balance assertiveness, creativity, stability, and precision — leading to more well-rounded decisions.
Model Curiosity
Leaders who genuinely seek diverse input build trust and loyalty.
Ask questions, invite feedback, and celebrate different perspectives to set the standard for continuous learning and collaboration.
The Bottom Line
High-performing teams don’t just happen — they’re built with intention.
When you embrace diversity of thinking, you unlock collaboration, innovation, and engagement at every level of your organisation.
If you’d like to build a team that performs at its best and truly understands one another, we can help.
The DISC Agency specialises in helping Australian organisations unlock the power of behavioural science through TTISI assessments and facilitated DISC workshops.
Learn more or book your next team session today:
