Why do so many global projects falter? Often, it isn’t because executives misread market data or underestimate competitors; it’s because they misread each other. Cross‑cultural communication is less about translation and more about decoding invisible frameworks—values, norms, and assumptions—that shape how people work. Ignoring those frameworks turns diversity into a liability. Leaders who master cultural intelligence transform it into a strategic advantage.

The hidden costs of miscommunication

Consider a seemingly routine performance review. Erin Meyer recounts how a French manager, working for an American boss in London, left her evaluation buoyed by the comment, “We look forward to seeing more.” In U.S. workplaces this phrase often masks concern; the boss thought her work was subpar.

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