Why Professionals Need to Develop Cultural Intelligence CQ?

Professionals who find themselves working with people from diverse backgrounds can attest that this is not an easy task. It requires a skill set that will keep you at the top of your game.

We cannot avoid the complexities that come with increased globalization; we can only discover ways to manage them.?As we continue to engage in international collaborations, language and cultural barriers are inevitable. Therefore, we must be deliberate in our efforts to cultivate Cultural Intelligence. Cultural Intelligence (CQ) is a critical success factor, according to Harvard Business Review (HBR) and Forbes.

While I was at the airport, I was approached by two ladies asking for a little help. They were heading to Mozambique. They were speaking Portuguese and of course, as someone who doesn't speak Portuguese, I kept responding in English. After taking a look at their tickets, I figured (at least I think so) they were looking for a terminal to board their next flight.

Since I was not very sure if I rendered the assistance they needed, I asked one of the employees if he could assist. He responded, "If they can't speak English then there is nothing I can do to help". After that, he left. The two ladies started walking around, moving up and down the elevator. I am not sure but I hope at the end they found their way or the help. I honestly didn't know what would be the right response, but I know that many people out there are experiencing this. Anyone who engages with people of different backgrounds needs to develop the skills necessary to succeed and provide top-notch services. Businesses today struggle with retaining customers not just because of language barriers, but also because they are unable to implement effective approaches that make navigating cultural differences simple.?

Here are two reasons why Cultural Intelligence should be at the top of your list of goals for career growth:

1. Diverse Professional Network

Many professionals today find themselves working in environments where they interact with people from various cultures. And even have to serve them. However they are not fully prepared to tackle the challenges that come with it. Professionals with high levels of cultural intelligence are invaluable in a multicultural setting. They help teach others with different cultures, promoting inclusivity and mutual relations among colleagues.

2. Potential to drive up innovation and creativity

Professionals with a high CQ can incorporate a variety of resources to aid in their career growth and business performance.?They recognize that the diverse perspectives that a multicultural network provides foster innovation. As a result, they may generate innovative and creative solutions and ideas.

Finally, In our interactions with people from various backgrounds, we experience both language and culture hurdles. That is why I believe that, alongside other competencies, professionals need Cultural Intelligence more than ever. This applies not only to those who hold managerial positions within organisations but also to professionals in any field who often deal with people from a wide range of cultural and linguistic backgrounds, both domestically and abroad.

Would you like to develop Cultural Competencies that help you thrive across Cultures? Join me!

My team at Global Ready Communications and I will roll out our program on "???????????????? ?? ???????????? ????????????", which aims to help professionals achieve competencies that will help them thrive while working with those from different cultures. Our program will officially rollout is this July 12. We only have 12 seats for our first Cohort. Registration will be open until July 31. Stay tuned for the announcement. For any enquiries, or early bookings, directly PM me or send me an email at?[email protected] o.bw