I can eloquently explain why some cultures value punctuality and efficiency (“Clock-Time” cultures) while others place greater value on relationships and flexibility (“Event-Time” cultures). But get me off stage and I’m not nearly so patient handling these differences myself. Full…
Read MoreExpatriate Spouses need more than cultural knowledge to thrive. They need high CQ. --Guest post by Regula Sindemann I am not a cultural intelligence expert. As a matter of fact, it was only 18 months ago that I first came across…
Read MoreI often watch customer service people interacting with foreign visitors. Inevitably, the foreign customer will ask the sales agent to repeat something. The agent repeats it, just as fast, and often with a hint of exasperation. And the visitor stands…
Read More“Okay. Let’s get down to business.” It’s a familiar phrase for those who live in meetings in the Western world. It’s code for, “Cut the chit chat. Time to get something done.” Yet for many cultures around the world, a…
Read MoreI’ve often prided myself upon how deeply I think and reflect about things….not at the expense of action. In fact, “thinking” is sometimes a way for me to bide the time when I’m bored on a plane or tuned out…
Read MoreLearning and Talent Development (L&TD) professionals are crucial allies for assessing and developing cultural intelligence (CQ). The findings of a recent survey of L&TD practices in India, the U.K., and U.S. offer several strategic insights for those of us committed…
Read MoreOur family loves to watch the Amazing Race. Given our many travels together, we often think about how we would compete to cross the finish line first. And you can imagine the joy it gives me to hear my kids…
Read MoreThe $1.1 trillion buying power of Hispanic Americans hasn’t gone unnoticed by many companies. Bi-lingual staff, Hispanic focus groups, and niche marketing plans have become standard fare for many U.S. businesses that are trying to tap the Hispanic market. For…
Read MoreI’m privileged to do work that I love. I write, teach, and speak about global leadership and cultural intelligence. People often ask me, “So how did you end up in this kind of work?” I’m never quite sure how to…
Read MoreThis morning Emily, my fourteen year old daughter declared, “I hate shopping!” She’s excited about going to homecoming this weekend and she likes to dress up. But she has no interest in all the hassle involved in trying on different…
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