How Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Thrive on Cross-Cultural Capability

Dr. Eric Albertini
1 hour ago
2 min read

Diversity equity and inclusion (DEI) is a top agenda item for modern organizations — but making it work takes more than values statements and compliance programs. It requires a deep, behavioral capability: Cross-Cultural Collaboration.

From Johannesburg to Jakarta, London to Lagos, leaders are learning that global teams succeed not only when they are diverse, but when they have the behavioral skills to turn that diversity into innovation, trust, and shared success.

Why Diversity Equity and Inclusion Needs Cross-Cultural Capability

Many DEI programs falter not because the intention isn’t there, but because the behaviors that sustain inclusion are missing. McKinsey research shows that companies with strong DEI outcomes are 36% more likely to outperform financially — but only when inclusion is lived daily in communication, decision-making, and team norms.

That’s where Cross-Cultural Collaboration comes in. It’s the behavioral capability to adapt communication, integrate perspectives, and build trust across difference — the engine that turns DEI principles into everyday performance.

Diversity equity and inclusion team collaborating over a glowing digital compass in a high-tech meeting room, symbolizing cross-cultural collaboration and global workforce capability.

The Tomorrow’s Compass Lens

Tomorrow’s Compass measures Cross-Cultural Collaboration behaviorally, giving organizations clarity on whether their DEI goals are supported by real-world capability. It evaluates:

Adaptive Communication — shifting tone, pace, and detail to suit different cultural norms.
Perspective Integration — weaving diverse viewpoints into collective action.
Trust Building Across Difference — understanding and honoring varied trust signals.

In one multinational audit, teams with high scores in Cross-Cultural Collaboration achieved 31% faster decision-making in global projects and reduced costly misunderstandings.

Three Practices to Build DEI Through Capability

1. Map Norms Before You ActAudit the decision-making, communication, and hierarchy preferences in each region or culture before launching projects. Avoid assuming “our way” is universal.

2. Normalize Norm-SharingMake space for team members to share how things work in their context — from meeting etiquette to problem-solving approaches.

3. Use a Shared Capability LanguageTools like Tomorrow’s Compass let teams discuss behaviors objectively, making DEI progress measurable and depersonalized.

Diversity equity and inclusion team of five professionals collaborating with laptops around a conference table, smiling in a bright office with plants and motivational wall poster in the background

The Bottom Line

Diversity equity and inclusion is more than representation — it’s about capability in action.Without Cross-Cultural Collaboration, diverse teams risk fragmentation. With it, they unlock the innovation, trust, and performance gains that DEI promises.

Want to measure and strengthen the capabilities that make diversity equity and inclusion work in practice?

👉 Take the Tomorrow’s Compass Assessment and build global team impact.