What is MEI: Merit-Excellence-Intelligence?

On the one hand, some HR experts see this trend as a backlash to the fact that DEI has morphed from a talent management strategy to a sometimes polarising ideology. Additionally, poorly thought strategies or implementation or lack of specific DEI expertise have caused certain initiatives and programmes to backfire and harm both the demographics they were intended to support, and the organisations at large.

What is MEI: Merit-Excellence-Intelligence?

Professor Andreea Gorbatai explains how this talent management approach is winning ground with opponents of diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.

On the other hand, the MEI strategy tends to ‘throw the baby with the bath water’ by doing away with a DEI approach in a naïve, black-and-white way. MEI proponents operate under the false assumption that everyone plays the same game on the same playing field and that the ‘best’ player will naturally shine above the others. They believe in the myth of a meritocratic society and are convinced that DEI distorts the playing field instead of levelling it.

This difference is most visible when we look at companies that have readily embraced the new MEI fashion versus those who remain firm in their commitment to diversity. Organisations such as Meta or Amazon that have been dedicating money to DEI just to ‘check the box’ have been quick to show their true colours. In contrast, companies such as the NFL and Ben & Jerry’s have taken a firm stance that shows appreciation for the value-creating benefits of true diversity. As recent as early 2025, NFL League Commissioner Roger Goodell reaffirmed the football’s ongoing DEI commitment. He said: “Diversity and inclusion are fundamental to the NFL’s future. We will continue to build a league that represents the communities we serve.”