What does cultural intelligence mean to you, and how do you cultivate it? In today’s episode of Never in Reverse, Doug and Jeremy define and discuss cultural intelligence and explain its applications to their work and family lives. They give tips on how you can expand your own cultural intelligence and discuss why doing so matters.
Doug and Jeremy both grew up in small towns that gave them limited cultural awareness. When they went to college, they began to interact with people from very different cultural backgrounds than their own. They have since learned from their company and their travels.
For detailed show notes, navigate using the time stamps below:
[3:30] Today’s episode is about cultural intelligence, which is very relevant in today’s world an can be a blind spot for those of us who grew up in smaller towns. Jeremy and Doug gained most of their cultural intelligence in college as they met new people and gained awareness.
[8:11] The talent that Fluent Conveyors sees and aligns itself with culturally is more global and culturally diverse than ever. That may be intimidating for a lot of organizations that want to create a homogenous environment.
[10:17] Jeremy wants to start building cultural differences into the Fluent Conveyor’s company values. While efficiency and high quality are still prioritized, there are other values that the team should take into account to fully represent its teams.
[12:55] One example of how Jeremy has had to gain cultural intelligence is when people ask for days off for cultural reasons that he is not familiar with. He has had to learn how to trust his team to make the right decisions and make up for any time they take off.
[15:23] Cultural intelligence is also at play in families and relationships. Jeremy’s wife has traveled all over the world and brought Jeremy on international trips as well. He has taught cultural intelligence to his children by showing them different foods and traveling with them.
[18:03] After Doug’s father moved for work at the height of his career, he introduced Doug to some of the new cultures he interacted with. Doug also learned from his wife, who was also more well-traveled than him.
[20:00] Many Americans learn about other cultures through how American media represents them, which often does not paint an accurate or complete picture.
[22:57] The best thing you can give your kids is travel. It allows them to experience a world outside of their own, which helps contribute to their cultural intelligence and empathy.
[26:55] Cultural intelligence is also about self-awareness in that it requires you to understand that you don’t know everything. Team members with different cultural experiences will be able to catch blind spots that you will miss.
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