The Invisible Grid: Why the 9-Box Grid Is a Systemic Barrier for Culturally Diverse Leaders

The 9-box grid is Australia's most common talent-review tool, plotting staff on performance and potential to decide who gets promoted, developed and put on the succession plan. Its “potential” axis is unmeasurable and relies on subjective judgement — and Australian research shows that judgement is consistently shaped by Anglo-coded leadership traits, which is why culturally diverse employees are promoted at persistently lower rates even after controlling for performance, tenure and role.