By Sara Wicher em colaboração com Adrienne Sweetwater
(Para ler o artigo em Português, clique aqui)
In her TED Talk “Cultural Intelligence: The Competitive Edge for Leaders”, Julia Middleton shares a fascinating perspective on why leaders today need more than just IQ (Intelligence Quotient) and EQ (Emotional Quotient) — they also need CQ: Cultural Intelligence. This message is fundamental for anyone working or living across borders.
According to Middleton, cultural intelligence is more than learning good manners and committing “dos” and “don’ts” to memory. Rather, it’s about having the courage to leave your cultural comfort zone and the humility to pay attention, pick up new skills, and adjust. She offers examples that show how leaders frequently fall back on their “core” culture — what is comfortable and known — but in order to succeed, they must work well in their “flex” zone, where they interact with values and diverse cultural viewpoints.
She explains the “core” and “flex” concepts, and the way the shape how we interact with different cultures:
- Core: Our profoundly held values, beliefs, and ideals make up our “core”, which is the aspect of ourselves that determines who we are. It’s the parts of who we are that feel “non-negotiable”, or that we are unwilling to give up. Understanding our core is crucial, according to Middleton, as it helps us stay grounded and find our way through new situations.
- Flex: Cultural Intelligence really shines here. The flex zone encompasses attitudes, behaviors, and thought patterns that we can modify based on the cultural setting we find ourselves in. Being genuine isn’t the goal; rather, we should strive to respect and relate to those who have diverse perspectives on the world.
The foundation of cultural intelligence (CQ) is this harmony between core and flex. Learning a list of dos and don’ts for every nation is not the goal. Genuine cultural intelligence involves cultivating curiosity and self-awareness to identify when you are in uncharted territory, followed by the humility and confidence to adjust.
At Differänce, we help our clients develop cultural intelligence. When a Brazilian professional is getting ready for an overseas assignment or when someone is relocating to Brazil, we assist them in determining what is really important to them and what they might be able to tackle differently. Rarely is it about altering who you are. It is about stepping outside of your comfort zone so that, even when the rules of the game seem strange, you can communicate clearly and form new relationships.
Middleton’s presentation serves as an excellent reminder that cultural intelligence is a crucial talent rather than a soft skill. Knowing how to flex without losing yourself can be a game-changer, especially for foreign teams, global leaders, and expats.
According to Julia Middleton, “If you don’t know what’s core and what’s flex, then when you meet people who are different from you, you don’t know whether to adapt or to stand firm”. We can lead – and live – across cultures with confidence and respect when we are aware of the differences.
If you would like to watch the full TED Talk, you can access it here: Julia Middleton TED Talk.
If you are ready to strengthen your team’s Cultural Intelligence, get in touch with us at Differänce. We offer tailored programs that transform managing cultural differences into a powerful tool for team and organizational success.