Cultural Intelligence 101: Building the Skills to Succeed in Today's Diverse World

Culture is an umbrella term encompassing the collective manifestations of human intellectual and artistic achievements in society, and we are the product of the cultures into which we have been born. We are also the drivers of culture, constantly growing and changing through micro evolutions as we progress through time.

Culture is central to the development of individual and group identity. It provides a sense of belonging, and an understanding of who we are authentically in relation to others. The challenge is when we step away from our culture, our “tribe,” we must be able to appreciate that culture without dismissing others. For example, if companies and organizations are not sensitive to creating an inclusive environment where everyone is both welcomed and celebrated, employees might feel the need to repress much of their culture to fit into their new environment. Such repression might result in employees who don't go above and beyond, and companies who miss out on the great potential of expanding their influence and impact on people. A culturally intelligent company can benefit greatly from placing people in positions where they can thrive due to their cultural background and talents.

When our ability to showcase and express the richness of our culture in everyday life is shunned, we often lose our sense of belonging and enter into an identity crisis. In turn, this can lead to anxiety, symptoms of depression, and tension in our bodies, etc. Humans naturally tend toward living in “packs” or “tribes,” and those left out suffer. We see this today as large numbers quit their jobs or experience workplace anxiety. (There are many other factors that lead to anxiety, but a “lack of belonging” is a leading cause.)

To counter this, it is important we grow in our “cultural intelligence" - the skill in which a person can relate to others and work effectively in a culturally diverse environment. This requires a high level of emotional intelligence and humility to be sensitive to the needs and customs of others, to be a genuinely curious person who always seeks to understand others and their cultures.

Those who are culturally intelligent not only thrive in their ability to lead others well and in their development of long-lasting genuine relationships, they also navigate the world in a healthy way that understands how and why people think as they do. P. Christoper Earley and Elaine Mosakowski of the Harvard Business Review define it this way:

“Cultural intelligence: an outsider’s seemingly natural ability to interpret someone’s unfamiliar and ambiguous gestures the way that person’s compatriots would.”

We’ve all heard of the “Golden Rule,” also known as “Treat your neighbor as yourself.” This sounds great yet it requires some thought. For example, the way I like to receive feedback (direct and honest) might not be the same way someone else appreciates receiving feedback. They might be a person who hates confrontation and becomes anxious when talking to superiors, therefore feedback would be better received with encouraging words, extra guidance, a clear follow-up plan, and a close friend in the room who can make them feel more comfortable. The only way to know what works for them is to be culturally intelligent, to go out of my way to ask questions and care enough to make adjustments.

Feelings do matter. Culture does matter. Many leaders will say “Keep your feelings out of your work”, or “When you work here, don’t bring that culture of yours”. Studies have shown when people feel understood and cared for, they will not only work harder and more effectively, they will also be loyal to the company and go above and beyond what is expected of them.

One of the amazing benefits of developing cultural intelligence is that it forces us to get rid of unhealthy cultural biases. A cultural bias is being convinced of a predetermined narrative of an individual based on his/her nationality, gender, or color. It is reflexive to put a person in a box that has been shaped by prior experiences or popular portrayal rather than by our own experience with said individual. When we treat people in this manner, we are not giving them a fair chance to succeed and missing out on working with potentially great people.

In most cases biases are wrong, but they are often how our brains create patterns of recognition that we believe keep us safe from harm, make our lives easier, or automate our responses to avoid deeper relationships.

To be culturally intelligent we must not be quick to label, dismiss, or favor people solely on things outside of their control such as birthplace, race, or gender. Everyone deserves a chance to contribute to their own story.

This is an essential skill to develop as a colleague but even more as a leader. When you can understand people better, you can lead them more effectively. Here are some questions to self-evaluate our level of cultural intelligence:

• How much do my colleagues or teammates have to change to fit into the current environment I have created?

• Have I gone out of my way to get to know the people I am close to so I can better lead them?

• Am I asking questions to understand cultural diversity or am I quick to dismiss the things which are foreign to me?

Here are some ways to grow our cultural intelligence::

• Ask Questions:

Instead of dismissing or making fun of things we don’t understand, ask questions and try honestly to understand the rich history behind cultural events or customs. We can learn much from asking someone to explain things that make up their culture. It’s also a great way to connect with people and establish an even deeper connection with them. If people know we care enough to ask because we desire to understand them better, this will increase our influence and relationship with them.

• Travel

One of the best ways to become culturally intelligent is to travel - not merely staying in an all-inclusive hotel without stepping outside the walls of the resort, but going to a city and truly getting a feel for the culture. This means making new friends, trying the local food, watching the local art and theater, and reading about the city’s history. When we get to know people’s backgrounds, we can understand them better which results in gaining a deeper love and appreciation for those with whom we work and have relationships.

• Read

Many times we can’t travel to a specific place but we can read about it and experience it through the lens of someone else. Reading about history, culture, and art is one of the best ways to understand why certain people behave and think as they do. When we know what people have lived through and what things they value, we can more effectively adjust our approach to them and discover common values.

As we navigate through this journey of life, let’s go out of our way to create deeper connections with others. The true currency of relationships is trust, and trust is only developed through a relationship which shows intention, interest, and care.

What's your favorite culture?