The best way to improve cultural intelligence is through coaching and training based upon a CQ assessment.
Cultural Intelligence (CQ) in a similar way to emotional intelligence (EQ) as interpersonal relationship skill sets can be enhanced with training and within coaching relationships. Extensive research suggests that multicultural teams outperform monocultural teams when diversity is viewed as an asset that can be harnessed and when teams demonstrate higher levels of cultural intelligence. However monocultural teams outperform multicultural teams, when multicultural teams fail to see and lack the capabilities required to derive benefit from team, company or community diversity.
Improving Your CQ Drive
- Talk to someone who has worked or traveled extensively and ask this person what motivated them.
- Make a list of the tangible benefits you can obtain by improving your CQ.
- Think of your prior successes when interacting with people who have different cultural backgrounds.
Improving Your CQ Knowledge
- Read a book (such as Culture Shock: Japan) to learn more about a specific culture.
- Attend a talk on the literature or geography of a specific culture.
- Visit a museum and focus on the art of a specific country or culture.
Improving Your CQ Strategy
- Summarise your knowledge of a particular culture before an interaction with someone with that cultural background.
- Think of things that you might say or do that would make this other person uncomfortable.
- Remain alert during the interaction to see if your expectations were accurate.
Improving Your CQ Action
- Practice a new behaviour so that you become more natural (e.g presenting your business card and obtaining a business card from someone else).
- Role play a specific behaviour that differs from your typical style (for example, standing very close or far apart during a conversation).
- Watch others carefully in cross-cultural encounters and mimic their behavior.