What is Cultural Intelligence?
Cultural Intelligence (CQ) is the ability to adapt to new cultural settings.
Having a high CQ doesn't necessarily mean that you have a lot of knowledge or expertise in a certain culture. Rather, you have the skills to go into new environments with confidence, and to adapt accordingly based on your insight, observations, and wisdom.
Why is Cultural Intelligence important for successful communication?
As someone with high CQ, you are at ease with and know how to navigate unfamiliar or ambiguous behavior. You can identify cultural patterns and values, and this allows you to recognize the impact of a particular culture which is essential in today's global environment.
You also know that cultural influences are complex and interconnected. You understand that culture is important, however, factors such as professional roles, generational differences, and individual personalities also have a powerful effect on behavior, too.
What are the Advantages of Developing Cultural Intelligence?
Developing your Cultural Intelligence helps you to work effectively with anyone different from you. Whether you're working abroad, leading a culturally diverse team at home, or working with clients on a global scale, CQ can help you avoid making cultural errors that can cause confusion and embarrassment, or delay/cause harm to a project, deal, or relationship.
CQ can also give you insights into the culture of every individual or organization that you work with. The more you understand their values, the better you'll be at playing by their cultural 'rules' and adjusting your expectations.
Is developing my Emotional Intelligence enough?
Having a high EQ means you're sensitive to people's feelings and needs and understand how their own emotions and behavior impact those around them.
However, what is considered a high EQ in one cultural environment may not translate in another, therefore, you still need additional skills to help us navigate your cultural context and adapt your behavior accordingly.
How can I develop both my Cultural and Emotional Intelligence?
As Cultural Intelligence is related to Emotional Intelligence (EQ), working on them together is a perfect way to develop the global agility to communicate successfully in a wide range of settings. Having CulturalEQ is to harness the combined strength of Cultural and Emotional Intelligence for greater global agility.
Why should I invest in becoming 'CulturalEQ' Intelligent?
By developing your EQ & CQ, you'll be more aware of the values, beliefs, and attitudes of both yourself as well as of people from different cultures, and will have the skills to respond with informed empathy, genuine understanding, and impact.
Would you like to learn more? Contact me here to set up a Discovery Call on how you can develop your own CulturalEQ
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