The four key traits of Cultural Intelligence (CQ)
Welcome to our final entry of The Q. We know that traditional measures of intelligence (IQ) fail to account for the full range of smarts required to succeed as a leader. In this new series, we’ll explore other skills great leaders possess and practical steps you can take to improve your own abilities. Read the whole series here.
We talk a lot about emotional intelligence (EQ) here at Ambassador Leaders and with good reason: high EQ is a reliable metric for successful leadership. However, the type of intelligence we’re talking about today—cultural intelligence or CQ—takes it a step further. Where someone with high EQ is able to understand how their own and others’ feelings, wants and needs affect behavior, a person with high CQ is able to contextualize those emotions and behaviors in terms of cultural values, beliefs and attitudes.
Culture takes many forms. Although the word “culture” may call to mind different nationalities or ethnicities, even people from different generations or regions within a single country can experience cultural clashes. Consider the clash between Baby Boomers and Millennials or urban/rural differences, and you’ll see that culture pervades many aspects of our lives.
With the world and the workforce becoming increasingly diverse, employers are looking for leaders who can navigate unfamiliar cultures well. And research reflects what hiring managers already know: people with high CQ are more successful in multinational or multicultural workplaces, adapt more easily to new conditions, and are better equipped to self-reflect, remain open-minded, suspend judgement and anticipate problems.
It’s easy to see why someone with high CQ would be a desirable candidate just about anywhere, and the good news is you can easily improve your CQ. Dr. David Livermore from the Cultural Intelligence Center developed the 4-step framework below to help people build better CQ.
STep 1: DRIVE
The first step to improving your CQ is adopting a mindset of curiosity and learning. If you view cultural differences as a burden or hassle, the likelihood that you’ll respond well when those differences emerge is low. If, however, you see them as a chance to learn something new or exchange knowledge with someone else, you’re opening your mind to a literal world of possibilities.
One way to change you mindset is to focus on your own self-confidence. Let’s be real; unfamiliar people, places and situations can feel uncomfortable and frustrating. You have to believe in your own ability to bridge the gap between those negative feelings and the amazing things that learning about someone else’s culture can bring. The odds are good, in a cross-cultural setting, everyone is a bit unsure of themselves. Keeping that in mind can give you the confidence to put yourself out there, knowing that those around you likely appreciate your openness.
Step 2: Knowledge
There is simply no way for one person to know everything about every culture. That isn’t a reasonable expectation. All this step asks of you is to understand that culture shapes a person’s values, beliefs and attitudes. When you interact with someone from a different culture, observe not just their words, but their tone, body language and facial expressions.
For instance, a guide for Japanese travelers to the United States advises them not to be surprised when men (and women!) laugh in a way that reveals their mouth and teeth. In the United States that behavior is standard, but not so much in Japan. Simply by observing other people’s behavior, you’re likely to learn more about their culture.
Don’t be shy to ask questions either. If there’s one universal truth, it’s that we all enjoy talking about ourselves and the things that matter to us. Cross-cultural conversations are a great way to gain knowledge.
Step 3: Strategy
Once you’ve adopted a curious mindset and committed to learning more, you’ll want to find opportunities to engage with people from different cultures. This can be challenging, as many people report spending time only with people who share their culture, and it likely means that you’ll be stepping outside of your comfort zone. (Remember that’s where growth happens!) Look for activities like language, cooking or dance classes that offer cross-cultural interactions. Ambassador Leadership Summits provide another excellent opportunity to engage with students from many cultural backgrounds.
This step also encourages you to act as a bridge between culture groups. As you develop your own cultural awareness, it’s important to bring people along and continue to question your own assumptions or stereotypes about other cultures. As Maya Angelou once wrote, “Once you know better, do better.”
What strategies can you practice to make sure you continue to engage with different cultures and help improve the CQ of those around you?
Step 4: Action
Finally, this last element of CQ relates to how you behave and react in cross-cultural settings, especially when there’s a conflict. Misunderstandings across cultures are all but inevitable. Even the best-intentioned and most open-minded person is bound to get it wrong once in a while. Resist the urge to become defensive or closed off in your mindset.
Instead, check in with yourself and your emotions. Is your posture rigid? Is your tone too harsh? You may be saying the right words and still be getting it wrong. Stay humble and ask questions if you’re genuinely confused. Oftentimes, people will give you the benefit of the doubt if you prove yourself to be teachable.
By the same token, if someone has committed a cultural faux pas, try first to assume good intent. More often than not, people aren’t being intentionally malicious. Explain what they did and what they can do differently in the future.
Finally, if all else fails, simply apologize. Being sorry for stepping on someone else’s toes isn’t a sign of weakness, but rather a sign of competent leadership. After all, no one said navigating across cultures is easy, but that’s what makes CQ so vital and valuable in the workplace and in the world.
By Corie Bales
Corie is the Academic Affairs Manager of Ambassador Leaders. As a lifelong educator and avid traveler, she believes in empowering students and teachers to learn and lead through experiential education.