Have you ever heard the term “Cultural Intelligence (CQ)”? Do you think such a thing is widespread or lacking in our hyper-connected world? Why?
There will always be surprising, sometimes even shocking, aspects of other people’s idiosyncrasies. Some of them may pose ethical dilemmas for us. Running away, denial, or hostility are not the right answers. It is in the midst of conflict where intelligence is shown. Openness doesn’t mean endorsement, it means making every effort to accept that not everyone conceives of time and context the same way we do, and yet the world goes round.
Cultural Intelligence, or the Cultural Quotient, refers to a person’s ability to navigate culturally diverse scenarios through openness, understanding, and empathy. It is not about mimicking, but rather, developing the skill to see from their perspective; and even walking in their shoes when possible.
One thing I learned during my ten years as a tour guide is that you can speak another person’s language or be accustomed to working with people from different backgrounds and still not being culturally intelligent at all. You would be surprised by how many times I saw former colleagues arguing with upset travelers who wanted nothing more than clear and reliable information about their trip.
When visiting the pyramids I had to tell travelers about the ancient practice of human sacrifice. It was challenging to explain something that horrifies many people in a way that could convey the deep meaning behind it. As a Mexican, I must admit that, initially, it wasn’t pleasant when a visitor frowned or called the Aztecs savage or uncivilized. However, this is what experience taught me: “There is a lesson to be learned in everything, and taking offense is always a choice.”
The internet and standardization facilitate cross-border interaction, but do they actually facilitate mutual understanding? Do they really bring us closer? Effortless, instant translations by AI are a powerful tool, but not nearly as much if we surrender our ability to get to know other people’s culture and nuances. By missing just a little in every single sentence, we end up missing so much.
What has been your greatest challenge regarding cultural intelligence? What has been the most shocking cultural difference you have ever encountered? Did it pose an ethical dilemma for you? Keep the conversation going at hola@abrahamalba.com . I’d really love to hear from you.
Abe Alba
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