Cultural intelligence

Cultural intelligence ( CQ ) is defined as the ability of a person to behave in an agile , effective and thus intelligent manner in culturally diverse situations and environments . The prerequisite for this is to be aware of cultural differences, to decipher them without judgment and to integrate them into your own strategy and approach.

The term "cultural intelligence", in English CQ Cultural Intelligence like IQ intelligence quotient , came up in 2003 in the United States . CQ research pioneers include business economist P. Christopher Earley , Soon Ang Professor of Management at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, and David Livermore , corporate and government advisor and advisor to various NGOs .

application

The globalization is subject to ongoing changes. Streams of globalization no longer run exclusively from west to east or from north to south. "Emerging economies" are growing into sales markets and serious competitors at the same time . The CQ concept is therefore increasingly being used worldwide, as different rules of human interaction exist in different regions of the world.

In the sense of "learning by doing", CQ amounts to a special kind of personality development . Own culture-related attitudes, prejudices and behavior patterns, which the individual is often not aware of, are put to the test. What has been taken for granted up to now is no longer self-evident; the feeling of superiority disappears.

This in turn forms a starting point for reflecting on how a conversation partner can be accommodated in “his” culture. CQ relies on its own experience and insights. With the help of tips, recommendations and good advice you gain knowledge, but this, as everyday life shows, does not necessarily change behavior.

Research basis

CQ Cultural Intelligence is measured on scales in the form of an online self-assessment ( questionnaire ). People with higher scores move more confidently, confidently, make fewer mistakes and have more fun. The breadth of variation in their behavior allows them to adapt flexibly to different cultures without bending over.

Based on the concept of multiple intelligence , CQ Cultural Intelligence is defined as a special form or form of intelligence and as the basis for culturally intelligent behavior.

CQ is based on an evidence-based metamodel for diversity and international cooperation. In other words, the CQ Self Assessment is a diagnostic instrument that has been tested across different cultures and samples. The reliability is> 0.70. In addition to this consistency and stability of the results, the procedure is also valid ; the CQ values correspond to actual behavior and are a reliable predictor of performance in a multicultural environment.

The CQ self-assessment is currently the only instrument that meets the usual test theory criteria. The calibration sample ( normative database ) currently comprises 25,000 participants globally.

The Cultural Intelligence Center, East Lansing, Michigan , the Nanyang Business School, Singapore , and protalent-CQ Development, Munich / Hamburg are responsible for the dissemination of theses on CQ Cultural Intelligence .

The four dimensions of behavior

CQ is based on a total of four behavioral dimensions, which can be individually different.

This makes it clear where individuals and teams need to develop in order to behave culturally more intelligently.

CQ Drive : To what extent is someone interested in something strange and different? How strongly is he convinced that he can move safely in culturally different environments?
CQ-Knowledge: To what extent are someone aware of the differences between their own and other cultures? Does he understand that?
CQ-Strategy : Does he make something out of these differences? Is he flexible enough to adapt and change his own strategies?
CQ-Action : In a specific case, does he behave culturally intelligently and put new insights into practice?

Overall, CQ is the successful interaction of these four dimensions in a specific situation; d. that is, someone is culturally intelligent.