CROSS-CULTURAL INTELLIGENCE

“People in different cultures do not live in the same world with different labels attached to it, but in radically different worlds”
(Hiebert 1999, 377).

Cultural Intelligence involves an acknowledgment of the truth of this statement along with a desire not only to consciously recognize and understand the nature of a different culture, but to take steps to adapt one’s behavior so that interactions with the culture are more appropriate. While the concept of cross-cultural intelligence has been explored primarily in the world of management, its reality can assist us in working missionally across cultures as well.  Hopefully, the end result is more meaningful and personally satisfying relationships and greater impact within the culture.

In the coming months we will be offering opportunities to better understand and apply this skill. In the meantime, you can read more about the concept in: Cultural Intelligence: People Skills for Global Business, by David C. Thomas and Kerr Inkson, 2004.