About CQ (Cultural Intelligence)

In today's increasingly global and diverse contexts (work and non-work), it is importance to be aware of Cultural Intelligence. This includes awareness of your own Cultural Intelligence and awareness of the Cultural Intelligence of others.

Cultural Intelligence (CQ) is a person's capability to function effectively in situations characterized by cultural diversity. CQ is a critical capability that enhances employee, manager, and organizational effectiveness. It also enhances interpersonal interactions in a wide range of social contexts.

Contemporary Views of Intelligence

Contemporary research has identified multiple types of intelligence. These include:

IQ - General mental ability
EQ - Emotional Intelligence
CQ - Cultural Intelligence

Cultural intelligence is an individual capability that is consistent with contemporary conceptualizations of intelligence because it recognizes that intelligence is more than general mental ability.

Understanding different types of intelligence allows us to differentiate specific capabilities that have relevance in different situations. For example, general mental ability is important in most problem solving and work situations.

General mental ability, however, does not necessarily mean effectiveness in managing personal emotions - or being responsive to the emotions of others (EQ).

Likewise, general mental ability does not necessarily mean effectiveness in situations characterized by cultural diversity (CQ). Like these other forms of intelligence, CQ complements IQ (cognitive intelligence) by focusing on specific capabilities that are important for high quality personal relationships and effectiveness in culturally diverse settings.

Cultural intelligence provides insights about individual capabilities to cope with multi-cultural situations, engage in cross-cultural interactions, and perform in culturally diverse work groups.

An Individual Capability That Can Be Enhanced

Cultural Intelligence is an individual capability

This means it is not an aspect of personality or personal interests. It is a set of capabilities that leads to specific outcomes - such as decision making, performance, and adjustment in culturally diverse settings.

Cultural Intelligence is a state-like capability. This means it is malleable - that cultural intelligence is not fixed, but that it changes based on people's interactions, efforts, and experiences. Restated, you can enhance your Cultural Intelligence.

Cultural Intelligence is a specific individual difference capability. This is because it focuses on culturally relevant capabilities. Cultural Intelligence is more specific than general mental ability or personality.

Cultural Intelligence is NOT specific to a particular culture. For example, it does not focus on the capability to function effectively in France or in Japan. Instead, it focuses on the more general capability to function effectively in culturally diverse situations:

- perhaps in France
- perhaps in Japan
- or anywhere else.