Lesson 14: Connecting Emotional Intelligence and Cultural Intelligence<\/p>\n
Learning Objectives<\/p>\n
Explain how emotional intelligence (EI) can elevate personal cultural awareness.<\/p>\n
Lesson Introduction<\/p>\n
Cultural intelligence begins at the boundary of emotional intelligence. In order for someone to be considered culturally intelligent, he or she must first be considered to be emotionally intelligent.<\/p>\n
You have been asked to accompany Puja, a team member visiting the United States from India, to a team lunch meeting. She arrived a few days ago and is still adjusting to the time change. You notice as you are in the elevator that she seems to be a bit nervous. This is the first time that she is joining such a large U.S.-based group, so using your emotional intelligence, you think through some of the emotions she may be feeling, and you ask her if she is nervous.<\/p>\n
Puja smiles at you and says she is not nervous. You sense there is something more she is not telling you. As you are aware of the difference between the work culture in India and that of the United States, you wonder about the different cultures within India you are aware of and ask a few nonpersonal questions. You recognize that many people from certain areas of India have eating restrictions and as you begin to share with her what you know and what you do not know about Indian culture, and ask her questions to learn more about her culture, she begins to relax and share with you. Through this conversation you find out she is currently fasting for religious reasons, and she was struggling with how to address it during the lunch meeting. She was worried she would appear rude if she did not participate in the team meal.<\/p>\n
Using both emotional intelligence, which is the ability to monitor one’s own and others’\u00a0feelings and emotions and distinguish between them, and cultural intelligence to relate to and communicate effectively with her, you identified what might be causing distress.<\/p>\n
This lesson looks at the connection between emotional intelligence and cultural intelligence.<\/p>\n
EI and CI: How They Relate<\/p>\n
To be considered competent, both EI and CI require communication. They also both encourage you to continue to learn as well as interact with those around you and those from other groups and other areas.<\/p>\n
The skills you need to be considered both emotionally and culturally intelligent include the following:<\/p>\n
Be self-aware<\/p>\n
Manage relationship with self and others<\/p>\n
Be comfortable with ambiguity<\/p>\n
Practice mindfulness<\/p>\n
Practice critical reflection<\/p>\n
Use empathy<\/p>\n
Communicate effectively<\/p>\n
Emotional intelligence begins with being self-aware. To be self-aware requires the difficult and ongoing task of self-examination so that you can identify changes in your attitudes, skills, and abilities, or even find out hidden traits you did not know you had. This also includes your emotions, thoughts, and beliefs, as well as what motivates you.<\/p>\n
Emotional intelligence and cultural intelligence are needed to work successfully across cultural groups in the global workforce.<\/p>\n
Maslow’s hierarchy of motivational needs.\u00a0\u00a9 2019 WGU.<\/p>\n
Abraham Maslow defined a pyramid of motivation referred to as the basic\u00a0hierarchy of needs.1\u00a0He believed that there are five basic needs that everyone has and that when those needs are not being met, it motivates people to take action to try to fulfill those needs.<\/p>\n
Emotional intelligence and cultural intelligence are needed to work successfully across cultural groups in the global workforce.<\/p>\n
Photo\u00a0by\u00a0Author,\u00a0Pixabay\u00a0is licensed under\u00a0Pixabay License<\/p>\n
According to the pyramid, your most basic need is for physical survival, and this will be the first thing that motivates your behavior. You need food and water in order to live, so your motivation, at its simplest, is to find food, water, shelter, and clothing. Once you have done that, and you have fulfilled the first need, you are motivated to meet the needs of the next level and so on.1<\/p>\n
Maslow believed that human motivation is based on people seeking fulfillment and change through personal growth. This occurs to the point of self-actualization, which refers to the need for personal growth and discovery that is present throughout a person’s life. For Maslow, people are always changing and becoming who they are meant to be. They never stay the same and never remain static in these terms. In self-actualization, a person comes to find a meaning to life that is important to them.1\u00a0Self-actualized people are those who are fulfilled and doing all they are capable of (McLeod, 2018).<\/p>\n
Consider how culture fits into this theory of self-actualization. You are always changing, discovering, and growing through the experiences you live in your life. As you gain life experience, take risks to learn something new, visit a new place, and become friends with new people, you are learning and growing. These new experiences change who you are.<\/p>\n
Did you know that when you are self-aware, it is easier for you to understand other people and detect how they view you as well? Consider what it might be like to try to communicate with people from other cultures without this important skill.<\/p>\n
Self-awareness comes from you knowing who you are and what you need. This is where EI seems to end because it is focused on you, the individual. The self-awareness you develop for yourself becomes cultural awareness when you look beyond you, to the bigger world. Once you know yourself, you can begin to apply that EI to other people, cultures, and experiences and begin to develop your CI.<\/p>\n
Essential Video<\/p>\n
Question<\/p>\n
Watch\u00a0“Overview of EQ”\u00a0from LinkedIn Learning.<\/p>\n
Emotional intelligence (EI) begins with self-awareness. This video provides an overview of the four quadrants of EI.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
I watched it.<\/p>\n
Communicating with a Global Workforce<\/p>\n
Without EI, it may be difficult to communicate successfully across diverse cultures. Everyone does not speak the same language, nor do they have the same accent.<\/p>\n
Consider the accents of people from different parts of the United States. The East Coast, the South, and the Midwest all have different accents, and even though English is spoken, it may be difficult to understand the accent, the cadence, or the speed of the speech and even some of the\u00a0colloquialisms.<\/p>\n
An example of this would be an elevator being referred to as a lift in England and an elevator in North America, or soccer being referred to as football in all parts of the world except North America. How would you react when someone asks you if you watched last night’s football match? Would you be able to tell from what they say that they are referring to soccer or football?<\/p>\n
Not all people are as free to speak up as you may think. In some cultures, people may need prompting or be given permission to contribute.<\/p>\n
Photo\u00a0by\u00a0Author,\u00a0Pixabay\u00a0is licensed under\u00a0Pixabay License<\/p>\n
Today, a global revolution is happening in management, politics, communications, and technology. The word\u00a0global\u00a0now seems to be connected to mobility and competition in social, business, and intellectual arenas. Doing business around the world is much easier now than it was in the past.<\/p>\n
Language is not the only way people communicate. For instance, Americans are generalized as being focused on getting down to business with little or no casual conversation, whereas people in other cultures, such as in China, want to get to know you and build a relationship and trust before they make a deal. There is an investment in the relationship before a deal or sale is made, which is not always expected in the United States.<\/p>\n
Another example comes from Japan. When Japanese business persons hand you their business cards, they do it using both hands. When you take the business card, you should also receive it from them using two hands and take time to review it before you tuck it away for safe-keeping. Replicating their action of using two hands demonstrates that you are being as respectful to them as they are to you.<\/p>\n
Perhaps you have seen someone from India or Pakistan sitting quietly in a meeting, but you know that they have valuable information to contribute. Often, people from different cultures may need to be prompted to contribute rather than speaking up freely. By being observant and asking people for their ideas and input, you ensure that each participant is provided an opportunity to speak and contribute. Be considerate, as the act of calling people to contribute may also be seen in other cultures as disrespectful. You need to find a balance that contributes to building both rapport and trust between members of a culturally diverse team.<\/p>\n
This table demonstrates just a few things to do and what to avoid when in global business situations.<\/p>\n
Cultural Dos and Don’ts Guidelines and Examples<\/p>\n
Cultural Dos and Don’ts<\/p>\n
DO<\/p>\n
DON’T<\/p>\n
Do present your business card with both hands in Asian countries. It should also be right side up and print side showing so that the recipient can read it as it is being presented. If you receive a business card, accept it with gratitude and examine it carefully. Do not quickly put it into your pocket.<\/p>\n
Don’t glad-hand, back-slap, and use first names on your first business meeting in Asia. If you do, you will be considered a lightweight.<\/p>\n
Do use a soft sell and subtle approach when promoting a product in Japan. Japanese people do not feel comfortable with America’s traditional hard-selling style.<\/p>\n
Don’t fill a wine glass to the top if dining with a French businessperson. It is considered completely uncouth.<\/p>\n
Do have a local person available to culturally and linguistically interpret any advertising that you plan to do. When American Airlines wanted to promote its new first-class seats in the Mexican market, it translated the “Fly in Leather” campaign literally, which meant “Fly Naked” in Spanish.<\/p>\n
Don’t begin your first business meeting in Asia talking business. Be patient. Let your clients get to know you first.<\/p>\n
“Cultural Dos and Don’ts Guidelines and Examples” in\u00a0Introduction to Business,\u00a0Openstax\u00a0is licensed under\u00a0CC BY 4.0\u00a0and has been modified by WGU. Download for free at http:\/\/cnx.org\/contents\/4e09771f-a8aa-40ce-9063-aa58cc24e77f@8.6.<\/p>\n
Essential Video<\/p>\n
Question<\/p>\n
Watch\u00a0“Cultivating Cross-Cultural Awareness in a Virtual Team”.<\/p>\n
Emotional intelligence (EQ) begins with self-awareness. This video provides an overview of the four quadrants of EI.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
I watched it.<\/p>\n
Working in a culturally diverse group allows you to seek out opportunities to improve your cultural intelligence. In addition to the critical skill of self-awareness, you should practice the following other skills to ensure successful cross-cultural communications:2<\/p>\n
Be self-aware: Before trying to understand others, you need to understand yourself.<\/p>\n
Be open and objective: What you have always done may not work, be open to using new approaches, and be willing to try to adopt new ways of thinking.<\/p>\n
Be flexible and adaptable: Being flexible and adaptable means you can adjust to changing situations quickly.<\/p>\n
Seek continuous improvement: By self-reflecting, asking for feedback, learning new things, and being curious, you demonstrate your ability to use both emotional intelligence and cultural intelligence.<\/p>\n
Ask: When you do not know something, ask for clarification, and avoid making assumptions.<\/p>\n
Practice empathy: Try to see the world through the eyes of others, and learn how they make decisions and how they communicate.<\/p>\n
Be friendly and approachable: Critical to the skill of relationship building is the ability to remain friendly and approachable, which may lead to a more trusting relationship.<\/p>\n
Practice patience: Avoid getting upset with someone when he or she does not understand you\u2014and be patient when you do not understand someone.<\/p>\n
Essential Video<\/p>\n
Question<\/p>\n
Watch\u00a0“Building Rapport Across Cultures”\u00a0from LinkedIn Learning.<\/p>\n
While you watch the video, think of things you can do to help you communicate more effectively within your own culture and with other cultures. To succeed in a cross-cultural business setting, it is important to understand the differences in how people communicate. Language is not the only barrier. In this video, Tatiana Kolovou provides information about how to build rapport within culturally diverse situations.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
I watched it.<\/p>\n
Subcultures<\/p>\n
When you think about culture and cultural groups, you are most likely thinking of the highest possible level of the group, for instance, one defined by a country.<\/p>\n
Think about the United States. Within the country there are states, and within the states there are cities and other local regions. Not all states and cities value the same things as the rest of the country. These states and cities could be considered to be\u00a0subcultures. The people are all American, but the people of New York and Los Angeles are different from each other and have different priorities and different motivations. They are not all the same. You may even notice subcultures in your organization.<\/p>\n
Look at an example:<\/p>\n
Within your office you may have vegetarians, vegans, or carnivores. People identify with being a member of one of these groups: they either eat meat, or they do not. The fact that people do or do not eat meat likely does not affect the job they do, and it certainly does not exclude them from being part of the higher organizational culture.<\/p>\n
Culture is not defined by nationality alone but by the collection of cultures, or communities, within it.<\/p>\n
Does everyone in your culture hold exactly the same beliefs? For instance, do you know any of your friends, family, or colleagues who perhaps have a slightly different belief than you do for one or more of the values that make up your culture? If so, they are likely part of a subculture, and you are too.<\/p>\n
What is important for you to remember is that someone should not be considered inferior because of cultural differences. You can help reduce cultural inferiority by<\/p>\n
finding a common ground: How is everyone the same?<\/p>\n
appreciating diversity: Accept and encourage the differences that make each person unique.<\/p>\n
seeing differences from a nonjudgmental viewpoint: You may find it helpful to say “so what?” to help you become comfortable with seeing and accepting differences without judging someone for who or what they are.<\/p>\n
Essential Reading<\/p>\n
Question<\/p>\n
Read\u00a0“Getting Teams with Different Subcultures to Collaborate”\u00a0from\u00a0Harvard Business Review Digital Articles.<\/p>\n
This brief article provides a look into applying cultural intelligence to solve collaboration problems.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
I read it.<\/p>\n
Essential Video<\/p>\n
Question<\/p>\n
Watch\u00a0“Subcultures”\u00a0from LinkedIn Learning.<\/p>\n
Subcultures exist within larger cultures, and this video introduces the concept of a subculture and discusses how subcultures influence business decisions.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
I watched it.<\/p>\n
Learning Check<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Question<\/p>\n
What can a person do to reduce the threat of cultural inferiority?<\/p>\n
Model exemplary behavior<\/p>\n
Judge cultural differences<\/p>\n
Embrace cultural diversity<\/p>\n
Maintain ethnocentric perspectives<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Nextquestion<\/p>\n
Lesson Summary<\/p>\n
Understanding the connection between EI and CI is foundational to building your own cultural intelligence. You will need self-awareness as well as the ability to manage relationships with yourself and with others, to be comfortable with ambiguity, and to be mindful, reflective, and empathetic.<\/p>\n
Maslow believed that throughout their lives, people are always changing and growing because they are motivated to do so. Motivation is based on people seeking fulfillment and change through personal growth. This occurs to the point of self-actualization, which refers to the need for personal growth and discovery that is present throughout a person’s life. When you are self-aware, it is easier for you to understand other people and detect how they view you.<\/p>\n
After this lesson, you now know the following:<\/p>\n
Emotional intelligence is a building block for cultural intelligence.<\/p>\n
Cultural intelligence expands on EI by looking more outward at larger groups in society.<\/p>\n
Cultural intelligence requires motivation.<\/p>\n
As a working professional, you need to be able to adapt to meet the cultural expectations of the diverse cultures you will interact with.<\/p>\n
Subcultures exist, and they differ from the norms, values, and beliefs of the larger culture they are part of.<\/p>\n
Culture is not defined by nationality.<\/p>\n
Reduce the feeling of cultural inferiority by finding common ground, appreciating diversity, and seeing cultural differences from a nonjudgmental viewpoint.<\/p>\n
Learning by experience is an immersive way to learn about a new culture.<\/p>\n
Cultural awareness is only a starting point for building successful business relationships.<\/p>\n
Communicating across cultures is more than about spoken language.<\/p>\n
Attributions and References<\/p>\n
1. “Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs” by\u00a0Lumen Learning\u00a0is licensed under\u00a0CC BY 4.0\u00a0and has been modified by WGU<\/p>\n
2. “Leading with Cultural Intelligence” by Mai Moua is licensed under\u00a0CC BY-NC-SA 4.0\u00a0and has been modified by WGU<\/p>\n
Andreatta, B. (2018). Overview of EQ [Video file]. https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/learning\/leading-with-emotional-intelligence-3\/overview-of-eq?u=2045532&auth=true<\/p>\n
Gold, P. (2019). Cultivating cross-cultural awareness in a virtual team [Video file]. Retrieved from https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/learning\/managing-virtual-teams-4\/cultivating-cross-cultural-awareness-in-a-virtual-team?u=2045532<\/p>\n
Kolovou, T. Building rapport across cultures [Video file]. Retrieved from\u00a0https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/learning\/communicating-across-cultures-2\/building-rapport-across-cultures?u=2045532<\/p>\n
McLeod, S. A. (2018, May 21). Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. Simplypsychology.org. Retrieved from\u00a0https:\/\/www.simplypsychology.org\/maslow.html<\/p>\n
Schwarz, R. (2016). Getting Teams with Different Subcultures to Collaborate. Harvard Business Review Digital Articles, 2\u20134. Retrieved from\u00a0https:\/\/eds.b.ebscohost.com\/eds\/detail\/detail?vid=0&sid=83bbecf5-5e64-46db-a0e4-8b5343246651pdc-v-sessmgr01&bdata=JmF1dGh0eXBlPXNzbyZjdXN0aWQ9bnMwMTc1Nzgmc2l0ZT1lZHMtbGl2ZSZzY29wZT1zaXRl#db=heh&AN=118683760<\/p>\n
Solomon, M. R. (2018). Subcultures [Video file]. Retrieved from https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/learning\/advanced-consumer-behavior\/subcultures?u=2045532<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Lesson 14: Connecting Emotional Intelligence and Cultural Intelligence Learning Objectives Explain how emotional intelligence (EI) can elevate personal cultural awareness. Lesson Introduction Cultural intelligence begins at the boundary of emotional intelligence. In order for someone to be considered culturally intelligent, he or she must first be considered to be emotionally intelligent. You have been asked […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[10],"class_list":["post-80957","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-research-paper-writing","tag-writing"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/papersspot.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/80957","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/papersspot.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/papersspot.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/papersspot.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/papersspot.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=80957"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/papersspot.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/80957\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/papersspot.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=80957"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/papersspot.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=80957"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/papersspot.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=80957"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}