What is cultural intelligence?

Cultural intelligence (CQ) is the ability to effectively navigate and bridge cultural differences in diverse settings. It involves understanding and adapting to various cultural norms, values, and communication styles. Here are the key components of cultural intelligence: 

• An openness and respect for cultural differences. It's about being willing to learn from and engage with diverse cultures. 

• Recognizing cultural differences in yourself and others. This includes being conscious of how these differences impact interactions and relationships. 

• Understanding the symptoms and implications of cultural differences. This involves learning about different cultural practices, values, and communication styles. 

• The ability to manage and leverage cultural differences effectively. This includes adapting your behavior and communication to suit different cultural contexts. 

By developing cultural intelligence, individuals and teams can improve their interactions, collaboration, and performance in multicultural environments. 

CQ is central to everything we do at Country Navigator. We believe that CQ is a fundamental competence that should be in the toolkit of anyone who works internationally. Cultural Intelligence brings better communication, more effective collaboration and greater productivity.