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Cultural Intelligence (CQ)
 

CQ definition

Where are you REALLY from?

Photo of a desk with keyboard and mouse

According to Dr David Livermore (CEO, Cultural Intelligence Center), “Cultural intelligence is the “capability to function effectively across national, ethnic, and organizational cultures.”  While Geert Hofstede, a widely known Dutch researcher of culture, loosely described culture as ‘the software of the mind’ i.e. the operating system that invisibly runs your life.  In other words, the way we have been programmed to think & see the world.

Traits & Characteristics
Observable vs Unobservable

Diagram showing observable and unobservable traits and characteristics of Cultural Intelligence

IQ

The four capabilities of Cultural Intelligence
CQ What?
Four CQ capabilities

   CQ WHAT?

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  • Culture is '... the capability to function effectively across various cultural contexts i.e. national, ethnic, professional and other cultural contexts [Prof. David Livermore]

  • Cultural intelligence (CQ) picks up from where Emotional Intelligence (EQ) leaves off which then sets a solid foundation upon which to roll out Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion initiatives (DQ)

  • CQ is influenced by our lived experiences i.e. what we have been exposed to through family, friends, religion, education, food, geography, government, social class, media and more

  • Cultures (patterns in behavioural norms and values) can exist on many different levels. Within organisations for example, functions, departments, & office sites can all have their own cultures. In addition, culture can also exist at international, national or regional level

  • Organisational culture are the beliefs and values that influence an organisation. Just as how our parents influenced our culture (the lens through which we view the world), in the office, it is often leaders that set the cultural tone within organisations. And, since we all bring our lived experiences in to organisations, organisational culture is constantly evolving which means leaders have to quickly adapt to the current fast changing world or risk losing out on talent, markets or customers

  • CQ is a mindset although it is not about thinking we can see the world through someone else’s lens - we cannot. Our lens are linked to our own lived experience(s)

  • A CQ leader has the knowledge of cultural norms, values, beliefs and behaviours i.e. the ability to differentiate between idiosyncratic behaviour and cultural norms. They also have the ability to understand, appreciate, and work with people from different cultural backgrounds (skill: intercultural sensitivity).

  • CQ leaders have the motivation and willingness to lean in and engage with people from different cultures. This requires a willingness to step outside one’s comfort zone as well as an open-minded and curious attitude. It is also the ability to make informed decisions that take into account the cultural context of your business operations

  • CQ involves several key components:

    • Cognitive abilities - Understanding cultural differences and similarities

    • Emotional abilities -The ability to manage one’s emotions as well as understanding the emotions of others (EQ)

    • Behavioural abilities -The ability to adapt to new situations and communicate effectively across cultural boundaries

  • CQ is not a mend result but rather, a continuous process with skills that can be developed and improved over time through practice and continued learning

 

LEADING WITH CULTURAL INTELLIGENCE (CQ)

  • Ability to work with a diverse workforce - CQ leaders are better equipped to build inclusive teams and foster a positive work environment that values diversity

  • Effective communication – CQ leaders are able to communicate effectively with people from different cultures

  • Global markets & customers - With many organisations having a presence in global markets and serving global customers, CQ leaders are able to understand different cultural norms and practices, an essential skill for doing business internationally. Through listening to local stakeholders and seeking to understand their perspective, CQ leaders and the organisation can adapt its products, marketing, and business practices to better meet the needs of the local market and avoid cultural misunderstandings or missteps that can sometimes damage the brand’s reputation

  • Talent management – CQ leaders are better equipped to attract, develop, and retain talent from diverse backgrounds. They have the ability to create a work environment that values diversity which can help attract and retain employees from different cultural backgrounds​

   CQ WHY?

  • It is no longer the case that companies have to expand abroad in order to experience cultural differences. For many large economies, multi-culturalism is right outside their door, which sees people with different traditions, backgrounds and beliefs, living and working side by side 

  • Improving your CQ makes you: 

    • Better able to adapt to different cultures

    • A better decision maker in culturally diverse situations

  • In addition, fast changing demographics in the USA and western Europe means that multi-culturalism is here to stay. A recent Pew Research showed that 48% of Gen Z individuals in the USA, are considered “racial or ethnic minorities.”  This may explain why many Gen Zs regard themselves as global citizens and want the companies they work for - and the brands they support - to commit to diversity. In the USA, Gen Zs are not just the most ethnically diverse, but are also the largest generation in history (~27%). It is therefore imperative that leaders are trained to lead with CQ given they will be leading workforces which comprise people from various backgrounds and societies that include those from: traditional backgrounds, secular backgrounds, liberals, libertarians and more

  • Plucking someone from HQ in country A and then placing them to manage a team based in country B can prove problematic if this leader/manager has poor CQ skills. It is no longer enough to be technically astute

  • Currently, many organisations are homogenous and culture is often determined by the dominant group(s). Rather than look for ways to become more inclusive, it seems that many companies continue to reject candidates or workers on the grounds of “culture fit”. In reality, what they really mean is, s/he/they are not “one of us”. It seems that while companies proclaim to hire for diversity, internally many are looking to manage on similarity

  • This is because we tend to look at our culture through our distorted cultural lens when in actual fact, what we need to do is, educate ourselves about other cultures to get a clearer understanding of why people behave or react in the way that they do

  • Like EQ, CQ also requires self-awareness. When we are more aware of ourselves, it then becomes easier for us to see things from the perspective of others because part of the problem when we interact with people from cultures we know little about is we often default to relying on stereotypes to fill in the gaps. This can be dangerous as stereotypes are often negative

  • With increasing calls for more diversity in the workforce, CQ becomes a vitally important aptitude and skill given the number of cross-functional assignments, job transfers, global markets and diverse customer base and new employers. Educating ourselves about other cultures helps put everything into an understandable context 

 

OFFICE CULTURE

  • Office culture is about more than beer on tap, the provision of table tennis tables or liquid lunches

  • Today's leaders need to lead with Emotional Intelligence (EQ) & Cultural Intelligence (CQ) to enable them to lead culturally inclusive organisations which is a necessary step for companies looking to thrive in the current & AI era global world

  • By developing CQ, organisations and individuals can improve their ability to work and communicate effectively with people from diverse cultural backgrounds, adapt to different cultural norms, build stronger relationships, recruit talent globally, and achieve greater success in global business and social settings, be this in person or remote.

  • While it's true, some jobs cannot be done remote, many can and culture is not something that can quantified or touched. As leader, you are able to make people feel included or not.

  • In the post-lockdown world, many workers are now looking for hybrid or jobs offering more flexibility. As such, companies need to find new ways of creating company culture which doesn’t require 2-3 hour daily commutes to experience or, be part of it

  CQ WHO?​

This Cultural Intelligence (CQ) coaching course is for:

  • Leaders in geographical dispersed, multi-cultural groups

  • Leaders who are leading diverse face-to-face or distributed multi-cultural teams

  • ‘Training the trainers’  - HR, People Operations, L&D, DEI, OD

  CQ HOW?​

  • CULTURE is the bedrock of DEI and this course sets you up with the tools that you need to create a culture that celebrates diversity and inclusion through creating an inclusive work environment where the needs of all employees can be met. You will learn to engage, stay curious, stay connected and, let go of the fear of saying the wrong thing

  • CQ is not developed through exposure to other cultures; it requires conscious effort. People with high CQ are motivated. They will watch a foreign film, travel, sample foreign food(s) and have a diverse circle of friends. CQ people are intrinsically driven and adaptable

  • Companies need to shift mindset from “culture fit” to ‘culture add’ i.e. shifting mindsets to appreciating & respecting multiple perspectives

  • CQ requires active listening i.e. paying close attention to what someone is saying and seeking to understand their perspective and the cultural context in which they are communicating. It therefore requires individuals to focus on the speaker, to ask questions, to clarify their meaning, and avoid making assumptions or judgements based on their own cultural perspective or biases  

 

 

CQ COURSE

  • Throughout the course, you will have the opportunity to develop your own CQ through interactive activities, case studies, and discussions

  • The aim of the course is to help you develop the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively navigate, lead, and manage in a multi-cultural environment

  • We will work together to help you to communicate effectively with your diverse team by avoiding misunderstandings and improving your ability to convey information, feedback, and instructions to your team members

  • You will learn how to avoid stereotyping or making assumptions by recognising and appreciating cultural differences

  • We will work together to help you develop strategies for managing diversity and inclusion in the workplace as well as strategies for creating an inclusive and culturally intelligent workplace culture

  • Together, we will develop an action plan for ongoing development and practice of CQ skills.

 

CQ FRAMEWORK

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  • Awareness – Becoming aware of your own cultural background and biases. Understanding what shapes your behaviour & attitudes i.e. cultural values, beliefs and assumptions

  • Knowledge – Gain knowledge and understanding of other cultures. Learning about the customs, traditions, communication styles of different groups as well as their history, values and beliefs

  • Skills – Develop skills such as: communication skills, conflict resolution, empathy, and the ability to adapt to different cultural contexts. These skills will enable you to interact effectively with people from different cultures.

    • Mindset – Develop a mindset that is open, curious, and respectful of cultural differences by avoiding making assumptions or judgements about others and instead, be willing to learn from other cultures while being flexible in your thinking and behaviour.

    • The course will be interactive and amongst other things, will include role-play, case studies, Q&As, situational judgement tests (decision-making skills), conflict resolution strategies, coaching on CQ team building exercises, and other challenging scenarios

  • Course delivery – In-person, virtual, hybrid, and more

  • Overall, the CQ course will be tailored to the specific needs and goals of the individual or organisation. CQ is an ongoing process of learning and growth

  • GOAL – The aim of this CQ course is to help managers: learn how to avoid stereotyping and/or making assumptions, recognise and appreciate cultural differences, help you to develop strategies for managing diversity and inclusion in the workplace as well as strategies for creating an inclusive and culturally intelligent workplace culture. 

  • As a TCI (Third Country Individual), I've grown up in countries and continents other than my own and have an 'Insider/Outsider' advantageous perspective which has enabled me to build strong contacts and friendships from all continents

CQ Why?
CQ Who?
CQ How?
CQ Course
Office culture
Leading with CQ
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