Cultural Intelligence Training
FACILITATING THE DEVELOPMENT OF CULTURAL INTELLIGENCE
When we interact with people with a very similar cultural background as ourselves, we intuitively use a set of social cues and cultural scripts (ways of doing things) to engage with them. However, when we interact with a person from a different cultural background we unconsciously behave in ways as if they are from a similar background and unconsciously expect this person to understand our social cues and respond in accordance with our cultural scripts.
When people demonstrate beliefs or behaviours that differ from our own, we may put it down to ‘personality’ and underestimate the influence of cultural background(s).
As we commit to the value of equality, we aim to treat people all the same, but this idea lacks understanding for how people might want to be treated differently reflective of cultural and personal preferences.
To improve our relationship with others we often don’t realise the influence of culture on our own behaviour nor think about the way culture influences our likes and dislikes towards certain types of behaviour, our communication style (direct vs indirect), the way we make decisions, the way we lead, or our pattens of autonomy or collaboration.
“Cultural intelligence (CQ) is your level of effectiveness working in diverse cultural contexts. ”
Cultural Intelligence training is not a learning framework for learning about the person or group over there who are different to yourself. This CQ framework assists us to be mindful of the pervasive influence of culture on many of our cognitive abilities and on our ability to form and maintain a cohesive relationship with ‘another’ person.
Research from over 30 countries have consistently revealed 4 capabilities that emerge from among those that can be described as culturally intelligent. The CQ Model emphasises the importance of developing an overall repertoire of motivation, understanding, strategy and skill that enables one to move fluently through different cultural contexts.
The 4 areas of capability are as follows:
CQ Drive is the willingness to work with others from diverse backgrounds. It includes an ability to overcome explicit or unconscious bias and the capacity to persist in challenging intercultural settings.
CQ Knowledge is an understanding of culture, cultural differences and similarities. CQ knowledge is the degree to which one understands how culture, cultural scripts and systems influence how people think and behave.
CQ Strategy is the ability to draw on knowledge of cultural differences and similarities and to adapt mentally to facilitate the best outcome. Individuals with high CQ Strategy, plan, undertake meta-cognition (thinking about your thinking) and review their effectiveness considering the cultural context they are in.
CQ Action is the extent to which you can act appropriately in multicultural situations. It includes one’s flexibility to adapt verbal and non-verbal behaviours, expect and accommodate for different ways of relating or completing tasks considering cultural differences. CQ Action decreases the risk of miscommunication and misunderstandings and builds trust and rapport.
Submit an enquiry through our website for all speaking engagements.
Advancing practitioner and team Cultural Intelligence (CQ) with creative facilitation.
Our programs provide many opportunities to ‘do difference’ through exchanging stories, providing felt sense, experiential learning experiences using ideas around Culture, cultural identity, diversity, inclusion and belonging.
Create a playful space where meaningful intercultural connections within teams can be made.
Our method of delivery is both informational and creative.
We may use props, metaphors, visual imagery or even clay to bring to life what we teach.
We borrow the Principles of Improvisation (Put down your clever, Be affected, Move, Accept offers, Make your partner look good, Notice more, Commit yourself, Let Go) to facilitate learning.
We prefer workshops and training that are co-designed. You know your people and we know our content.
Our subject matter expertise includes:
Culture in the counselling room
Multicultural mental health
Muslim mental health
Cultural formulations in mental health assessment
Cross-cultural couples therapy
The application of Cultural Intelligence (CQ) and The CQ model in clinical practice (health & mental health settings)
‘The doing of difference, inclusion and belonging (What works and what gets in the way) in organisations.
Harnessing cultural strengths in therapy and organisations
NeuroLeadership - Willpower & Playing outside your cultural comfort zone