What is Cultural Intelligence?

Cultural Intelligence (CQ), as proposed by Christopher Earley and Elaine Mosakowski, addresses the ability to understand national, corporate, and vocational culture. 

The theory identifies three sources of Cultural Intelligence.

• Head (Cognitive) – Directed study on attributes of foreign culture.
• Body (Physical) – Demonstrating cultural understanding through actions. 
• Heart (Emotional/motivational) – Believe in one’s ability to understand and assimilate within a culture. 

Cultural Intelligence prepares a person to distinguish behaviors produced by the culture in question from behaviors that are peculiar to particular individuals and those found in all human beings.

How to Grow Cultural Intelligence? 

Earley and Mosakowski recommend a 6 step approach to cultivating your cultural intelligence:

• Examine your CQ strengths and weaknesses. In this way you establish a starting point.
• Select training that focuses on your weaknesses.
• Apply this training.
• Organize support in own organization.
• Enter the cultural setting with a focus on your strengths.
• Reevaluate continuously.