It’s a Global Imperative
The current assault on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) within the United States may dominate headlines, but it doesn’t define the future of inclusive leadership. DEI is not a political liability—it is a strategic necessity. And critically, it is not a uniquely American construct. As one of the architects of ISO 30415:2021 – Human Resource Management: Diversity and Inclusion, I can say with certainty: DEI is a global standard. Literally.
While U.S. politicians fan the flames of culture wars, the rest of the world continues to build more inclusive, adaptive, and resilient institutions. As Paul Klein’s recent piece in Forbes rightly underscores, companies in Europe, Asia, and beyond are doubling down on DEI—not abandoning it. The reason is simple: forward-thinking leaders across borders recognize that equity and inclusion are not just moral positions—they are business imperatives.
From U.S. Retrenchment to Global Resolve
Even as U.S. companies like Booz Allen react to Trump-era directives by gutting DEI programs, international firms such as L’Oréal, BMW, and Tech Mahindra remain steadfast. Their leaders understand what American politicians have willfully ignored: exclusion is expensive. In contrast, inclusion powers innovation, loyalty, market agility, and long-term value creation.
The backlash against DEI in the U.S. has sparked diplomatic pushback abroad. Nancy Levine Stearns points to European governments that swiftly rejected U.S. embassy efforts to discourage DEI programming. This echoes a powerful truth: you cannot export fear where justice is already taking root.
ISO 30415: Proof That the World Sees the Bigger Picture
The creation of ISO 30415:2021 marked a watershed moment: DEI principles are now embedded in the global business fabric. Developed by a multinational working group, the standard provides a consistent, practical framework for embedding diversity and inclusion into organizational governance, leadership, strategy, operations, and relationships.
It was not developed to appease regulators or activists. It emerged from a consensus among global business, labor, and human rights leaders that inclusion enhances performance, safety, innovation, and sustainability. It recognizes that DEI is not about guilt or grievance—it’s about balance, access, and unleashing full human potential.
A Shift in Narrative: From Compliance to Commitment
As the Forbes essay notes, leaders in Poland, Finland, and India are reimagining DEI through locally resonant language. They are shifting from performative checklists to strategic, values-driven engagement. They speak of belonging, barrier removal, and innovation, not just diversity quotas.
Their lesson to U.S. companies? Reframe. Reground. Recommit.
- Start with why. DEI fails when it is a public relations veneer. It succeeds when rooted in purpose, values, and empathy.
- Don’t chase consensus. Lead with conviction. As Adamska-Woźniak said, “Every DEI initiative seems like an act of courage.” That is precisely the point.
- Globalize your lens. The world is not waiting for the U.S. to figure itself out. DEI is already thriving in cultures that see it as essential to their future.
The Real Threat Isn’t DEI—It’s American Exceptionalism
The danger in today’s U.S. DEI retreat lies not in its impact on the world, but in America’s self-imposed irrelevance. While some U.S. firms flinch, the global economy continues to evolve—faster, more diverse, and more interconnected. Companies unwilling to embrace equity and belonging will find themselves unable to recruit top global talent, reach emerging markets, or sustain innovation pipelines.
The dismantling of DEI in the U.S. is not a triumph of pragmatism—it’s a failure of imagination.
Conclusion: This Is Our Leadership Moment
As a global DEI standard-setter and practitioner, I’ve seen what’s possible when inclusion is treated not as a concession but as a catalyst. Let this be a call to action: to global companies with U.S. operations, to courageous leaders inside embattled institutions, and to DEI advocates feeling weary and isolated.
We are not alone. We are not losing. We are part of a larger, global movement.
And the world is watching. Let us rise to meet this moment with clarity, commitment, and courage.
Photo by Kyle Glenn on Unsplash
