EXCERPT: CHAPTER 1
Understanding the Importance of Cultural Intelligence
We often do not respond well to cultural diversity. CQ changes that. It allows us to view people, and what they “bring to the table” differently. Through CQ, differences become possibilities for learning, personal growth, and relationships. Our world becomes bigger and more complex as we develop CQ. We move from assuming that cultural diversity is a deficit to understanding that cultural differences embody potential. What we do with that potential is up to us.
More specifically, CQ opens us up to new experiences. In addition to being more informed about what we might encounter in cross-cultural relationships, we are better prepared to deal with “culture shock,” or the disorientation we experience when encountering new, radically different situations. Because we can appreciate multiple perspectives and make appropriate adjustments in our behavior, we are much better able to quickly adjust and relate effectively to others whose backgrounds are not at all like ours.
As realities change in today's multicultural, global environment, CQ becomes a critical component of everybody's resume. Unfortunately, research shows that while employers desperately need workers with CQ to adjust to changing workplace and workforce realities, many employees do not measure up. To complicate matters further, CQ cannot be manufactured in a short period of time. It takes work, motivation, and constant practice.
It is not unusual for employees with excellent technical skills to possess low CQ. Often, there is a singular focus on technical skills, the ability to use the “tools” and procedures unique to a specific field. According to a new study by Leadership IQ, a leadership and training company, nearly half of newly hired employees fail within 18 months. What these new hires lack are interpersonal skills rather than technical skills, such as the inability to manage their own emotions and accept feedback from others. (1)
Your turn : Which of your competencies would you rank higher – your “technical” expertise in a specific area or your CQ? Why?
Identifying Nine Megaskills
Different situations require a variety of skills. With regard to CQ, there are certain skills that are of paramount importance. This book refers to these as the nine megaskills. A megaskill is a powerful, fundamental skill that is absolutely necessary for excelling on the job and in other areas of life.
Building CQ is no easy task. We need to nurture and practice those cognitive and behavioral skills that allow us to adapt and excel in any and all environments. Further, retooling and reeducating ourselves is an ongoing process that can be humbling and uncomfortable at times. With the proper mindset and motivation, we can develop the following nine megaskills that are absolutely critical in any workplace:
1) Understanding my cultural identity - looking inward and understanding our own thoughts, biases, behaviors and cultural identity.
2) Checking cultural lenses - recognizing the ways in which cultural backgrounds differ and how they influence thinking, behavior and assumptions.
3) Global consciousness - moving across boundaries and seeing the world from multiple perspectives.
4) Shifting perspectives - putting ourselves in someone else's shoes and someone else's culture.
5) Intercultural communication - exchanging ideas and feelings and creating meanings with people from diverse cultural backgrounds.
6) Managing cross-cultural conflict – the ability to deal with conflict among people from differing cultural backgrounds in an effective and constructive manner.
7) Multicultural teaming – working with others from diverse cultural backgrounds to accomplish certain tasks
8) Dealing with bias – recognizing bias in ourselves and others and dealing with it effectively
9) Understanding the dynamics of power – grasping how power and culture interrelate and the effect of power on how we see the world and relate to others.
Where Am I Now?
Directions: Rank yourself on the following megaskills. For each, mark M (need much improvement), S (need some improvement), or L (need little improvement)
___Understanding My Cultural Identity
___Checking Cultural Lenses
___Global Consciousness
___Shifting Perspectives
___Intercultural Communication
___Managing Cross-cultural Conflict
___Multicultural Teaming
___Dealing with Bias
___Understanding the Dynamics of Power
(1) “Interpersonal Failure,” Inside Training Newsletter ( September 28, 2005 ), 1. |
