culglobE
Enhancing Your Cultural Competence
About us
Culglobe was established in 2025 as a forward-thinking cultural intelligence company. While the brand itself is new, the minds behind it bring over 15 years of expertise in Human Resources, Learning & Development, and global workforce consulting. Drawing on extensive experience across corporate, civil service, and educational sectors, Culglobe was created to help individuals and organizations thrive in increasingly diverse and multicultural environments.
Built on a foundation of practical experience and academic research, Culglobe blends insight with innovation—delivering cultural competency tools, training, and frameworks that are as strategic as they are actionable..
How the RAEI Model Was Developed
By synthesizing these foundational theories:
The RAEI Model was developed to bridge a crucial gap in existing cultural theories: while many renowned frameworks (like Hofstede's cultural dimensions, Bennett’s DMIS, Lysgaard’s U-Curve, and Lewis's communication styles) explain what makes cultures different, they often fall short in showing how individuals practically evolve in their cultural competence.
- Hofstede’s work provides the cognitive base for Awareness.
- Lysgaard’s U-Curve illustrates the emotional trajectory tied to Adaptability.
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- Bennett’s DMIS maps the attitudinal progression toward Engagement.
- Lewis’s model explains how behavioral shifts occur across communication styles.
The RAEI Cultural Competency Model is grounded in the work of Geert Hofstede, whose Cultural Dimensions Theory explains how cultures differ. His dimensions—like Power Distance and Individualism vs. Collectivism—provide the foundation for the model’s Awareness metric.
RECOGNIZING THESE DIFFERENCES IS THE FIRST STEP toward moving from a Reluctant Observer to someone actively exploring other cultures. Hofstede’s research explains the “WHAT” of cultural difference, while the RAEI model shows how individuals can respond and grow.
RECOGNIZING THESE DIFFERENCES IS THE FIRST STEP toward moving from a Reluctant Observer to someone actively exploring other cultures. Hofstede’s research explains the “WHAT” of cultural difference, while the RAEI model shows how individuals can respond and grow.
Intercultural Development Stages
Cultural Competency Training at CULGLOBe
Exploring the Five Styles of Cultural Intelligence
1. The Reluctant Observer
(Low Awareness | Low Adaptability | Low Engagement)
The Reluctant Observer sits at the initial stage of cultural competence. Individuals in this category often have minimal exposure to cultural diversity and tend to feel uncomfortable, disinterested, or even resistant when engaging across cultures. They may rely heavily on familiar environments, routines, and social circles, preferring not to challenge their worldview. While they might intellectually recognize that cultural differences exist, they often lack the motivation or skills to explore them further.
2. The Explorer (Moderate Awareness, Moderate Adaptability, High Engagement) Explorers are enthusiastic and open to learning about other cultures. They actively engage in diverse environments and take initiative, but they may lack depth or finesse in their cultural knowledge and application. This style benefits from structured learning, mentoring, and reflecting on experiences to deepen understanding and sharpen cultural nuance.
2. The Explorer (Moderate Awareness, Moderate Adaptability, High Engagement) Explorers are enthusiastic and open to learning about other cultures. They actively engage in diverse environments and take initiative, but they may lack depth or finesse in their cultural knowledge and application. This style benefits from structured learning, mentoring, and reflecting on experiences to deepen understanding and sharpen cultural nuance.
3. The Adapter
(Low Awareness, High Adaptability, Moderate Engagement)
Adapters are flexible and pragmatic. They adjust quickly to new cultural settings and are often praised for their ease of integration. However, their actions may be surface-level, lacking the awareness needed to understand deeper cultural meanings. Strengthening theoretical understanding and building reflective practices are crucial for sustained growth and impact.
4. The Integrator
(High Awareness, High Adaptability, High Engagement)
The Integrator represents the pinnacle of cultural competence. They navigate complex cultural dynamics with skill, empathy, and strategic insight. Often mentors or inclusive leaders, they are capable of fostering collaboration in global teams. Ongoing learning, mentoring others, and practicing self-care help maintain their effectiveness and prevent burnout.
Milton Bennett’s DMIS
Milton Bennett’s DMIS (Developmental Model of Intercultural Sensitivity) complements this by outlining the stages of attitude change—from Denial to Integration.
These map directly to the RAEI journey: from Reluctant Observer to Integrator. WHERE BENNETT FOCUSES ON MINDSET, the RAEI model emphasizes practical actions, such as adapting communication styles or mentoring across cultures.
It shows not just how people think differently—but how they behave differently as they evolve.
These map directly to the RAEI journey: from Reluctant Observer to Integrator. WHERE BENNETT FOCUSES ON MINDSET, the RAEI model emphasizes practical actions, such as adapting communication styles or mentoring across cultures.
It shows not just how people think differently—but how they behave differently as they evolve.
Sverre Lysgaard’s U-Curve
Sverre Lysgaard’s U-Curve adds the emotional dimension—explaining the phases of cultural adjustment: Honeymoon, Culture Shock, Adjustment, and Mastery. The RAEI model builds on this by identifying the behaviors at each emotional stage. For example, the Adaptor reflects someone adjusting on the surface, while the Integrator shows deep, confident engagement.
TOGETHER, THESE THREE THEORIES MAKE THE RAEI MODEL A COMPLETE TOOL -combining knowledge, mindset, and behavior for real-world cultural competence.
TOGETHER, THESE THREE THEORIES MAKE THE RAEI MODEL A COMPLETE TOOL -combining knowledge, mindset, and behavior for real-world cultural competence.
Practical Resources
Cultural Awareness Workshops
Engaging workshops designed to enhance understanding of cultural perspectives.
Diversity and Inclusion Training
Comprehensive training sessions that foster an inclusive workplace.
Online Learning Modules
Flexible modules that allow you to learn at your own pace and convenience.
Consulting Services
Tailored consulting solutions for businesses to improve cultural strategies.
SERVICES
Cultural Competence Training
Sign up to our comprehensive course to enhance your understanding of diverse cultures and improve workplace inclusivity.
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Cultural Assessment Tools
Evaluate your current cultural competencies and identify your cultural engagement style Assessment Tool
Interactive survey that places users into one of the RAEI stages
Personalized results and tips.
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Interactive modules designed to enhance cultural awareness and inclusivity.
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How Can We Help?
Addo (Kay) Boateng
Founder & CEO, Culglobe
Addo Boateng is a seasoned leader in cultural intelligence, learning and development, and global talent strategy. With over 15 years of professional experience, he has worked with some of the world’s most respected firms—including EY (Ernst & Young) in accountancy and Bain & Company in management consulting.
His career has spanned across Europe and the Middle East, giving him firsthand insight into the challenges and opportunities of cross-cultural collaboration in international organizations. This diverse experience laid the foundation for his passion: helping people and businesses not just navigate, but thrive in culturally complex environments.
In 2025, Addo founded Culglobe to bring together practical insights and academic research in a way that makes cultural competence measurable, teachable, and actionable. He is the creator of the RAEI Model, a developmental framework that charts the journey from cultural resistance to deep integration through the lenses of Awareness, Adaptability, and Engagement.
Addo is driven by a belief that culturally intelligent leadership is no longer optional—it’s essential. Through Culglobe, he works with individuals, teams, and organizations to unlock their full potential in an interconnected world.