Beyond Merit Program
Merit gets you noticed. Systemic bias can still stop you from advancing. Beyond Merit is a four-module program that helps culturally diverse leaders build the social capital — sponsorship, advocacy, networks and story — to advance.
THE CHALLENGE
Strong performance should be recognised. Too often, it is not.
Strong performance alone doesn't build a leadership career. What actually drives progression is social capital — sponsorship, networks, advocacy and leadership pathways — and culturally diverse leaders are too often locked out of it. The "strong deliverer" pigeonhole means the work gets noticed. But familiarity bias keeps the relationships that turn results into progression out of reach.
A consortium that is made up of DCA, SSI and CEW that lead the RISE Project confirms this, leadership progression is not about capability alone it is also shaped by access to social capital.
Beyond Merit Program equips culturally diverse leaders to navigate these systemic barriers while staying grounded in their cultural identity.
WHO THE PROGRAM IS FOR
A program for culturally diverse leaders
Beyond Merit is built for culturally diverse leaders with 10+ years of experience who;
deliver strong results, but whose broader leadership impact is not fully recognised
want to overcome the “strong deliverer” pigeonhole and be recognised for their strategic contribution
want to communicate their leadership across different cultural reference points without assimilating
want to navigate familiarity bias and expand access to influential relationships, advocacy and opportunities.
No formal title required. What is required is a willingness to reflect, practise, and act.
WHAT YOU WILL GAIN
Navigate systemic bias. Build the social capital that drives your leadership progression.
01
Recognise your potential with clarity
Identify leadership strengths that narrow definitions of potential may overlook. Build the evidence your social capital can rests on.
02
Expand the recognition of your impact
Turn your work into capital others can see. Navigate the "strong deliverer" pigeonhole so the full breadth of your leadership is recognised.
03
Grow your social capital
Navigate familiarity bias and build relationships that create sponsorship, advocacy and opportunity.
04
Communicate your leadership across cultures
Turn your story into capital others can advocate for — told in a way people with different cultural reference points can understand and remember.
PROGRAM FORMAT
Short, practical workshops designed for busy professionals
Four 90-minute online sessions
Focused, practical sessions that each build one leadership progression skill you can use straight away.
Real workplace application
Apply each module’s learning to real workplace challenges, relationships and opportunities.
Facilitated peer learning
Learn alongside other culturally diverse leaders navigating similar progression challenges.
Potential Q tools and frameworks
Receive tools and frameworks to map strengths, identify development priorities and plan next steps.
WHAT ARE THE MODULES
Four focused modules. Each one builds a piece of the social capital that drives leadership progression.
Module 01
Recognise your leadership
Build the foundation your social capital rests on
Social capital starts with clarity about what you are actually bringing to the table. Leadership potential is often defined through narrow ideas about what a leader should look, sound and behave like — making it harder for culturally diverse leaders to recognise the value they already demonstrate.
This module helps you identify your leadership potential and support it with clear evidence, giving you a solid foundation to build the case for sponsorship and advocacy on.
You will leave with:
a clearer definition of your leadership potential
evidence of the strengths and capabilities you already demonstrate
a stronger understanding of how your cultural identity and lived experience contribute to your leadership potential.
Module 02
Amplify your leadership impact
Turn your work into capital others can see
For culturally diverse leaders, being known as the reliable "deliverer" can become a trap. Your ability to execute may be recognised while systemic bias overlooks your strategic thinking and capacity to shape broader outcomes — and impact that stays invisible can't attract sponsorship or advocacy.
This module helps you identify strategies to gain recognition for the full breadth of your impact, so your contribution builds capital instead of staying hidden.
You will leave with:
clarity on how the “strong deliverer” stereotype may be limiting how your leadership is perceived
practical strategies to overcome bias that obscures your strategic thinking, judgement and influence
an action plan to gain recognition for the full breadth of your leadership impact.
Module 03
Build strategic relationships
Grow the sponsorship, advocacy and networks that convert impact into progression
Career progression is shaped not only by performance, but also by access to sponsorship, advocacy and networks. Familiarity bias can leave culturally diverse leaders with less access to social capital and influential networks.
This module helps you recognise and navigate these barriers and build the reciprocal relationships that create real social capital.
You will leave with:
a strategic map of the relationships that can influence your impact, development and progression
greater clarity about where familiarity bias may be limiting your access to social capital
a practical action plan for building reciprocal relationships, sponsorship and advocacy.
Module 04
Tell your leadership story
Turn your story into capital others can advocate for
Culturally diverse leaders' experiences, strengths and ambitions may not be readily understood by people who do not share their cultural reference points. A story others cannot repeat is a story others cannot advocate for.
This module helps you tell a clear, memorable leadership story so others understand who you are, see your cultural identity as an asset, and can champion you with confidence.
You will leave with:
strategies to translate your experiences across different cultural reference points
a clear and memorable way to communicate who you are as a leader
an adaptable leadership story for introductions, interviews and career conversations.
Choose Your Learning Path
Choose the full leadership pathway or select the module most relevant to you.
Complete the four-module program
Choose the complete program for a structured pathway to recognise your potential, expand recognition of your impact, build strategic relationships and communicate your leadership story. Each module builds on the one before it.
Select individual module
Choose the individual module that addresses the specific leadership challenge on your mind right now and build the capability you need most. Each module stands alone while connecting to the broader Beyond Merit Program.
Register Your Interest
Be first to receive program dates and module options when registration opens. There is no obligation to attend. Joining the waitlist simply keeps you informed.