As a leader in a multicultural organization, what could you do to increase your level of cultural intelligence and what would be the expected impact of your actions?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Key points from text may include: Cultural awareness and competence are essential for effective leadership in the context of diversity. Some authors suggest that cultural intelligence is central to understanding effective global leadership. Cultural intelligence is the ability to behave appropriately in cross-cultural settings, an ability that encompasses cognitive (knowledge), emotional (motivational, mindfulness), and behavioral dimensions (Blasco, Feldt, & Jakobsen, 2012). Defined as “a system of interacting knowledge and skills, linked by cultural metacognition that allows people to adapt to, select, and shape the cultural aspects of their environment,” cultural intelligence is hypothesized to be linked to effective intercultural interactions, including interpersonal relationships and task performance (Thomas et al., 2008). Some studies found that cultural intelligence allows leaders to share knowledge and information within their organizations, to facilitate active research, and to enhance team learning during cross-cultural interactions (e.g., Groves & Feyerherm, 2011; Ng, Van Dyne, & Ang, 2009; Rockstuhl, Seiler, Ang, Van Dyne, & Annen, 2011).