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The four areas of cultural intelligence

Mahmood Al Anni

University of the People - MBA

BUS 5211 - Managing in the Global Economy

Unit 8

Dr. Pamela Moore (Instructor)

December 30, 2022

 
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The four areas of cultural intelligence

Abstract

Leadership becomes very important when cultures intertwine in the workplace because of the

interdependence between leadership and culture and because leaders who possess cultural

intelligence can direct their organizations towards innovative strategies and solutions and

uncover cultural objects in the workplace that constitute barriers to the growth process.

Culturally intelligent leaders have a holistic view of what is happening in a multicultural

workplace and are taught to encourage workers to navigate and deal with diversity to become

culturally intelligent as well. Culturally intelligent leaders focus on and are prepared for change

and empower their organizations to embrace change (1.0), 2012).

Discuss how the four areas of cultural intelligence aid a leader in understanding culture as

well as intercultural efforts.

A deep understanding of culture and intercultural work will be improved through four areas of

improved cultural intelligence:

1- Reframing

Leaders must be able to reformulate their thinking and practice of culture because cultural

intelligence is a tool that helps them move from a position with one perspective to a location that

contains multiple factors and an issue for the individual, and that navigating through the maze of

cultural intelligence allows them to move from mindlessness to mindfulness. It is a

communication style for reinterpreting old thought patterns to revise a belief or perspective (1.0),

2012).
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2- Adaptive work

The practice of cultural intelligence forces leaders to be more adaptive to their surroundings and

to lead through the conflicting values held by different groups. Leaders can bridge the gap

between the values people have and their current reality (1.0), 2012).

3- Interdependency

Relationships and interdependence are the foundation of our survival. Therefore, future leaders

must have the skills to see patterns of interdependency. Culturally intelligent leaders are clear

about their purpose in working with cultural groups and people. Understanding and exploring the

leader's motives, passions, and the journey is the basis for reaching the desired vision (1.0),

2012).

4- Consciousness

Consciousness is critical to self-development and thus the development of others. Through

consciousness-raising activities such as cultural intelligence, there will be an opportunity

available to let go of limiting thoughts and behaviors and create a perception that will be a

political and social force in the future (1.0), 2012).

 Determine how a leader must reframe their thinking when interacting with

employees of different cultures.

Reframing is important and useful for leaders when developing long-term, meaningful

intercultural relationships. It is therefore essential that leaders and organizations change their

relationship thinking and practices. Leaders can transform the building of authentic relationships

with different cultural groups when they focus on what can be learned from the relationship and
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how this learning will benefit them toward vision realization. Leaders must reframe how they

think about and engage different stakeholders in their work and define how to engage them

through the systems of engagement they create (1.0), 2012).

 Examine the different methods a leader can utilize in adaptive work to adjust

his/her thinking.

Leaders must continually review and reflect on personal value systems, clarify the values that

drive their behaviors and attitudes, and examine any inconsistencies between their beliefs and

actions. Organizations should develop assessments and tools for personal value systems, and

provide people with opportunities and resources to adapt (1.0), 2012).

 How can leaders demonstrate interdependence when while dealing with diverse

cultures?

The actions that leaders take must help people understand the systemic nature of culture and

understand that culture and diversity are human elements that need to be nurtured by all and that

people in the organization have a clear understanding of diversity and have a purpose and

passion for cross-cultural interactions with the support and enthusiasm to create an inclusive

environment culturally (1.0), 2012).

 Discuss how being culturally conscious is important to the success of a leader.

Consciousness is critical to self-development, and awareness of oneself, including one's thoughts

and feelings, can be embodied in a larger group. Leaders must learn by becoming aware of how

to be a leader in a multicultural world and realize that opposites such as individualism and

collectiveness are not in conflict, but rather complement each other. The opposites must create

harmony through which imbalances in the paradoxes of life can be discovered (1.0), 2012).
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Conclusion

Organizations have become committed to credibility as a major factor in their business

strategy. Therefore, strengthening the leadership capabilities of the leader will make him

distinguished in his leadership, have a better career, and be able to help the organization achieve

growth. For the leader to become more effective in motivating others (Gavin, 2019). He must

focus on improving himself and understanding the culture and how to restore it. Formulate his

thinking when interacting with multicultural employees.

References

(
1.0), (. (2012). Cultural intelligence for leaders. Lardbucket, licensed under CC-BY-NC-SA 3.0.
Gavin, M. (2019, December 10). AUTHENTIC LEADERSHIP: WHAT IT IS & WHY IT'S
IMPORTANT. Harvard Business School Online
https://online.hbs.edu/blog/post/authentic-leadership