CQ wheel

Summary

The script emphasizes the importance of cultural intelligence (CQ) for effective cross-cultural interactions. It introduces the CQ wheel, which includes four key areas: CQ drive (motivation and confidence), CQ knowledge (understanding cultural values and behaviors), CQ strategy (avoiding stereotypes and planning interactions), and CQ action (adapting behavior without compromising one's identity). Developing these competencies can enhance intercultural communication and collaboration.

Takeaways

• 🌐 **Cultural Intelligence (CQ) Defined**: The ability to work efficiently in cross-cultural contexts.
• 🌱 **Developable Skill**: Cultural intelligence can be developed through exposure and training.
• 🔍 **Exposure to Other Cultures**: Engaging with different ethnic, national, or organizational cultures is essential.
• 🚀 **CQ Drive**: Motivation and confidence to work outside one's cultural comfort zone.
• 🧠 **CQ Knowledge**: Understanding the deeper values and ideas of different cultures, including one's own.
• 🤔 **Cultural vs. Personality Behavior**: Distinguishing between behavior influenced by culture or personality.
• 🔄 **CQ Strategy**: Checking assumptions and avoiding stereotypical thinking.
• 📅 **Planning in Other Cultures**: Adjusting plans to accommodate cultural differences, such as longer meetings.
• 💡 **CQ Action**: Comfortably acting in ways that are not naturally familiar, without compromising one's identity.
• 🎯 **Balance is Key**: Striking a balance between feeling, knowing, and planning culturally intelligent actions.

Q & A

What is cultural intelligence?

Cultural intelligence is the competence needed to work efficiently in a cross-cultural context. It involves the ability to interact effectively with people from different cultural backgrounds.

How can one develop cultural intelligence?

One can develop cultural intelligence by exposing oneself to other cultures, whether ethnic, national, or organizational, and through focused training to enhance intercultural competencies.

What is the CQ wheel?

The CQ wheel, or the wheel of cultural intelligence, is a model that breaks down cultural intelligence into four focus areas: CQ drive, CQ knowledge, CQ strategy, and CQ action.

What does CQ drive represent?

CQ drive refers to an individual's motivation and confidence to work outside their own cultural comfort zone. It's about having the willingness to learn from and engage with other cultures.

Why is CQ knowledge important?

CQ knowledge is important because it involves learning the dos and don'ts, deeper values, and ideas of foreign cultures. It helps distinguish between behavior affected by personality and behavior affected by culture.

Can you provide an example of how CQ knowledge can be applied?

An example of applying CQ knowledge is recognizing if a problem with a colleague from France is due to cultural differences or personal traits, which can help in finding an unbiased solution.

What is CQ strategy?

CQ strategy is about checking your assumptions and ensuring your knowledge isn't too stereotypical. It's also where you plan how to work in other cultures effectively.

How does CQ action differ from the other parts of the CQ wheel?

CQ action is about being able to act in a culturally intelligent way that might not come naturally to you, without challenging your inner core too much. It's about balancing comfort and cultural adaptation.

Why is it necessary to check and question cultural knowledge?

It's necessary to check and question cultural knowledge to avoid stereotypes and ensure that the understanding of other cultures is accurate and up-to-date.

How can one prepare for encountering other cultures?

One can prepare for encountering other cultures by researching and learning about their customs, values, and communication styles, as well as reflecting on personal biases and assumptions.

What is the role of reflection in developing cultural intelligence?

Reflection plays a crucial role in developing cultural intelligence by allowing individuals to analyze and interpret experiences in different cultural contexts, leading to better understanding and adaptation.