In these times of hyper-globalization, many of us work each day with people of other nationalities and from different cultures. Diversity and cross-cultural complexity are not lofty concepts anymore; they have become synonymous with the frequent challenges that run counter to the efficiency of business operations, and they can be quite aggravating. That frustration can make it impossible for us to learn from one another and ultimately to build a truly global organization.

I felt this frustration firsthand during my twelve years at what is arguably the world's largest global development operation, an organization with an almost unrivaled level of complexity and diversity – the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). At UNDP, I also experienced the utter satisfaction of working in an intercultural environment of fine ideas and creative solutions.

The UNDP is the United Nation's global development network, advocating change and connecting countries around the world to knowledge, experience, and resources so that their citizens can build better lives. Working with a wide range of partners, the UNDP serves more than 166 countries and territories, striving to help fulfill the goals of the United Nations. Chief among its objectives is the achievement of the UN's Millennium Development Goals, which aim to cut world poverty in half by 2015. Other priorities include achieving universal primary education and environmental sustainability. For the UNDP, “development” means helping people help themselves.