Wouldn’t it be helpful if there were an effective predictor of cross-cultural effectiveness?
Assessing Cultural Intelligence
Thankfully, the capability you seek in your candidate has a name and can be measured- “Cultural Intelligence” or CQ.
CQ is the ability to work and relate effectively across cultures and within intercultural contexts – including different ethnic, national, generational, organizational, and other cultural contexts.
The concept of Cultural Intelligence is based upon intelligence research including academic intelligence (IQ) and emotional intelligence (EQ) and is supported by rigorous research across 100 countries. Dr. David Livermore helped popularize CQ through his books and by co-founding the Cultural Intelligence Center, which offers assessments, training, and support.
While our life experiences, education, and training certainly contribute to our intercultural effectiveness, CQ doesn’t automatically emerge as a direct result. Fortunately, it is a measurable set of four capabilities that can be learned and developed by almost anyone.
The Cultural Intelligence Center describes each of the four capabilities as follows:
- CQ Drive: Your level of interest, persistence, and confidence during multicultural interactions.
- CQ Knowledge: Your understanding about how cultures are similar and different.
- CQ Action: Your ability to adapt when relating and working in multicultural contexts.
- CQ Strategy: Your awareness and ability to plan for multicultural interactions.
CQ assessments offer an objective solution for identifying which candidate will be most effective in intercultural contexts. Additionally, CQ training empowers leaders with the skills needed for intercultural communication. It also provides tools for building multicultural teams, ministries, and organizations.
Cultural Intelligence is a much-needed resource for today’s growing global landscape.