In today’s globalized world, encountering people from different cultures is inevitable. Whether you are working in a multinational company, traveling the world or simply interacting with neighbors from different backgrounds, you should be aware of Cultural Intelligence (CI).
The term Cultural Intelligence (CI) was coined in 2024 by P. Christopher Earley and Elaine Mosakowski in the article ‘Cultural Intelligence’ published in the Harvard Business Review.
What is Cultural Intelligence (CI)?
Cultural Intelligence (CI), or cultural quotient, is the person’s ability to interact effectively in culturally diverse contexts, or to function effectively in unfamiliar situations characterized by cultural diversity.
The person having high Cultural Intelligence (CI) is able to assimilate into occupational, corporate and national cultures with ease.
Why is Cultural Intelligence (CI) important for business managers?
Cultural Intelligence (CI) is an increasingly valuable asset for directors, managers, employees, entrepreneurs, and their organizations.
It helps employees to adapt and thrive in culturally diverse environments. It is not just about knowing cultural facts, but about understanding values, beliefs, behaviors, and communication styles across different cultures.
Cultural Intelligence (CI) is important as it measures the ability of people to understand and adjust to new and unfamiliar situations which the business world is full of, e.g. international mergers, hostile takeovers, working with teams from other countries, natural disasters, etc.
People with high Cultural Intelligence (CI) can effectively navigate cultural differences, build relationships, and achieve success in various settings.
Elements of Cultural Intelligence (CI)
The framework for Cultural Intelligence (CI) typically identifies four key dimensions:
- Cognitive CI. Your knowledge and understanding of different cultures, including their values, norms and practices.
- Motivational CI. Your desire and willingness to learn about and engage with different cultures.
- Behavioral CI. Your ability to adapt your behavior and communication style to fit different cultural contexts.
- Metacognitive CI. Your awareness of your own cultural biases and blind spots, and your ability to reflect on and adjust your behavior accordingly.
How to develop Cultural Intelligence (CI)?
Fortunately, Cultural Intelligence (CI) is not a fixed trait, but it can be cultivated and improved through various strategies. It can be developed based on a range of increasingly common forms of cross-cultural experiences.
- Travel and immerse yourself in different cultures. First-hand experiences are invaluable for building understanding and empathy.
- Read books and articles about different cultures. Expand your knowledge base and gain new perspectives.
- Interact with people from different backgrounds. Seek out opportunities to build relationships and learn from others.
- Reflect on your own cultural biases. Be open to challenging your assumptions and stereotypes.
- Be open to feedback. Learn from others about how your cultural background might influence your interactions.
By actively engaging with these strategies, you can enhance your Cultural Intelligence (CI) and become a more culturally competent and effective individual in our diverse world.
In summary, Cultural Intelligence (CI) is an outsider’s seemingly natural ability to interpret someone’s unfamiliar and ambiguous gestures the way that person’s compatriots would.
