Hi, my name is Omodara, Hub Manager at Women Emerging.
If you’re new to Cultural Intelligence (CQ), you’re in the right place as you’ll be he I’m learning too, and I invite you to join me for a quick self-reflection. It’s four months to the end of the year, and the weight of leading has taken its toll. Some conversations have gone well and others, not so much; relationships have been forged and others, burned. That’s why I’m pausing for some honest self-reflection and encouraging you to do the same.
What is Cultural Intelligence and why does it matter?
Cultural Intelligence, as defined by Julia Middleton, is the ability to work effectively with people across boundaries; geographies, generations, abilities, aspirations, sectors, specialisms, backgrounds, and beliefs – and to thrive while doing so.
Cultural Intelligence encompasses your worldview, conditioning, habits, temperaments, politics, and beliefs; everything that shapes how you perceive and relate to people who are different from you.
The Difference Between IQ, EQ, and CQ
IQ was once the gold standard. It is about problem solving. Parents hoped their kids would score high at it. It was identified as the key to success in the world. While it’s true that problem-solving abilities, critical thinking, and reasoning skills are not irrelevant for leading, people soon started to realize that IQ does not guarantee that you’ll thrive at leading. Why not? Because leading does not only have to do with the person leading but with people being led too.
So, EQ came to the rescue; the ability to understand and manage your own emotions, as well as those of others. Emotional Intelligence was a step forward in the right direction. EQ provides you with the self-awareness and social sensitivity you need to detect and manage the emotions of others. However, it doesn’t necessarily predict your effectiveness in leading a diverse team.
So, came CQ. Cultural Intelligence picks up where EQ left things off. Cultural Intelligence helps you to understand behaviors across cultures and respond appropriately. CQ is what enables you to build trust when diverse cultures, values, and identities are present. Thus, a stronger predictor of your effectiveness at leading.
A Lesson from Experience
Here’s an example that might help you understand my new fascination with Cultural Intelligence. I once misunderstood a Project Manager in another organization because of cultural differences. After a somewhat difficult week, I asked her a question, and she responded with “as in?” Where I’m from, you don’t answer questions with questions. It’s assumed you’re implying the question is stupid. I was triggered, confronted her, and while we kept things professional, our relationship never recovered fully. My directness clashed with her communication style, and I reacted poorly. Later, when I heard Julia speak about Cultural Intelligence, I realized: I didn’t have much of it yet.
Self-Reflection Questions to Ask Yourself
In Episode 167 of the Women Emerging Podcast, Julia suggests regularly examining your CQ. Here are five questions to start with:
- Am I interested in other cultures?
- Am I actively interested in the views and ideas of people very different from me?
- Do I pull back when meeting new people?
- Am I open to courageous conversations?
- Have I recovered well from a situation where I misjudged someone very different from me?
These questions will help you identify the habits, assumptions, and reactions that hinder your growth in cultural intelligence and leadership. But reflection isn’t enough; you must act on what you observe.
Here are a few things you can do after reflecting:
- Ask for feedback from trusted colleagues, mentors, or friends who have been with you on your journey of leadership.
- Keep a journal of cross-cultural encounters that went well and those that didn’t and note what you learned from each experience. You can start by sharing a lesson you’ve learnt from an encounter below.
- Practice curiosity: the next time you feel frustrated by someone’s words or behavior, pause and ask, “Could this be cultural?”
- Find resources: You can start with Julia’s TED Talk on Cultural Intelligence and how it gives you a Competitive Edge when leading.
IQ helps you solve problems. EQ helps you manage emotions. But CQ determines whether people trust and follow you. That’s why it should matter to you.
