The Thinking Difference: How Diverse Minds Build Better

Let's talk Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). This isn’t just about skin color, sexuality, or nationality. Diversity is about gathering individuals who think differently because of how they view and experience the world. You've heard politicians, business leaders and maybe even your weird uncle talk about DEI and its effects, but do you really feel its power in how we build things, create ideas, and generally just make stuff happen?

DEI isn’t just surface level. Yes, it includes all the visible differences, those matter. But true diversity runs deeper. It's about bringing together people who think differently. It's about perspectives shaped by unique life experiences, varied backgrounds, and even just different ways of processing information. Think about it. Panasonic nails it: they say diversity is about respecting each person's individuality, valuing all those differences, inside and out.

In my last corporate position, there was sensitivity training for the design department. I expected a boring slideshow with definitions and examples of how to interact with one another. Fortunately, it was more interactive. An activity that stood out was one where the facilitator asked us to look at paintings and share how we perceived them. What became very apparent was that each individual brought a unique perspective to how they contextualized the paintings shown. Knowing we think differently allowed us to be inspired and open to new thoughts. 

When you pack a room with people who approach a problem from totally different angles, magic happens. You solve problems more effectively. Ideas are sparked! Edward Enninful, the mind behind British Vogue, put it perfectly: "Without diversity, creativity remains stagnant." He's not wrong. If everyone thinks the same, you get the same old ideas.

And the proof is evident. Harvard Business Review found that diverse teams make better decisions 87% of the time. That's a huge win for any business looking to make smart moves. Look at Google. They've shown that diverse teams are just better at figuring out what users actually need. That means better products, plain and simple. DEI in design isn't just about having different faces in the room; it's about actively building a space where every way of thinking gets heard and valued. That's how you identify new solutions and strategies that really matter to your audience.

Here's my quick take on why this matters so much:

• Diversity improves your output. More perspectives mean better ideas, better products, better services and a better customer experience. 

• Equity increases opportunities. Everyone gets a fair shot. For a company, it means tapping into talent you might otherwise miss. For the individual this means exploring more paths and interests. 

• Inclusion creates empathy. When you truly understand different experiences, you design things that work for everyone.

It’s simple, really. When we embrace different ways of thinking and make sure everyone has a seat at the table, we don't just build better products or services. We build a better world, piece by piece.

What are your thoughts on how diversity has impacted your work or daily life? Share in the comments!

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