TTI Success Insights is thrilled to have a presence in over 100 countries, with stories of impact around the globe. A few of those stories are shared in the documentary SEEN, which highlights four teams using TTI assessments across the world. The first story starts at TTI’s home in Arizona with a group of ambitious graduate students with unique needs and diverse backgrounds.
The People
Thunderbird School of Global Management is a renowned institution specializing in international business, global management, and leadership education. It is part of Arizona State University (ASU) and is located in Phoenix, Arizona. Founded in 1946, Thunderbird has a long-standing reputation for preparing students to lead in the global marketplace, with a focus on cross-cultural understanding and global business practices.
“I completed my Master of Global Management Program at Thunderbird, and I remember taking a TTI assessment,” said Kefei Wang. “When I interviewed with TTI, I recognized the assessment’s wheel immediately.”
This serendipity was the start of a beautiful partnership; Wang saw the potential for a more developed partnership between TTI and Thunderbird.
The Partnership
Wang helped develop the partnership, focusing on career management and team building. In 2016, Thunderbird’s Career Management Center incorporated one of TTI’s signature tools, the Talent Insights assessment, as part of the accredited Career Management Course created to help students enhance self-awareness, identify ideal career environments, and make deeper connections with peers, faculty, alumni, and potential employers. Introducing TTI’s tools helped students gain self-awareness, confidence, and career coaching.
”Before the first semester begins, all Thunderbird graduate students are introduced to TTI’s assessments,” Angelique Smith, Director of the Career Management Center, explained. “They receive workshop training as part of their orientation, and assessments become an integral part of their development in the program.”
Over the years, the partnership has deepened, and TTI assessments have become part of Thunderbird’s Global Challenge Laboratories (GCL) program. In this program, students apply their global mindset and business acumen to hands-on projects and provide consulting services for corporations and NGOs. Facilitated by Career Management Center coaches, each team receives a TTI team report and team debriefing session before the program starts.
The quality of assessments makes a substantial difference for the experience of the students.
“Personally, I love how data-driven TTI's assessments are,” said Trisha Thompson, Senior Career Coach at Thunderbird. “Knowing that they have a research and development team that updates on cultural norms and also looks at the internal reliability and external validity of the assessments, it's so cool to have [the students] really trust that and then move forward.”
The Experience
One of the greatest opportunities for students at Thunderbird is the ability to connect across cultures. Historically, more than 75% of the class come from countries outside of the United States, bringing unique insights, communication preferences, and perspectives from their different cultural backgrounds. They need to find ways to work together in the leadership program.
“The main value TTI assessments add to the GCL program is increasing the understanding of the team as a whole,” said Wang. “Assessments provide the data and insights needed to bridge cultural gaps. Since everyone takes one to start, they create a foundation of understanding for the students. They help create a better idea of who takes on what role in their collaboration.”
Groups are comprised of six to seven students, including students from different cultures; U.S. students travel overseas in the program, and international students stay in the U.S. to work with local companies. Assessments are especially helpful for enhancing global collaboration and developing leadership skills.
Mike Rockwell is one of the students featured in SEEN. Initially from the US, he led a team of six to complete the GCL program at a German company.
“Sitting down and looking at the assessment is one thing, but then in the field, managing the project is another thing,” he shared. “I think that's what has always fascinated me about our personality types—that line between comfortability, what you're good at, and what you're used to, and then that growing edge being a little uncomfortable and trying to be something new.”
Rockwell’s team used their TTI assessment results to solve conflict and guide more accurate communication. (Watch the documentary to hear more of his story in his own words!)
Feeling SEEN At Thunderbird
TTI assessments provide more than just data for Thunderbird students—they offer a shared language and a deeper understanding of themselves and their teammates. As these working professionals navigate cultural differences, resolve conflicts, and identify strengths and weaknesses, they know they have a foundation to return to: the tools that are essential for their personal and professional growth.
Ultimately, TTI assessments give students the vocabulary and confidence to communicate their unique qualities to the world, equipping them with the tools they need to lead in the future.
“The TTI report helps you know who you are as a person,” said Francis Ansah, a student and entrepreneur from Ghana. “I’ve never known myself as much as I’ve come to understand and know myself using these assessments.”
Don’t take our word for it; hear the stories of the people directly impacted and watch SEEN!
