The Importance Of Cultural Intelligence And Sensitivity In Leadership
- Brainz Magazine
- Jan 6, 2022
- 4 min read
Written by: Ruby Rose Walker, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
Leadership, and the skills required to successfully lead, are changing and evolving. We’re now in a new emerging work culture which is giving rise to an era of leadership that is more digital and more global than it has ever been.
To thrive, organisations and their leaders need to develop new skills and approaches, as well as let go of some old mindsets and ways of working.
It’s a fact that diverse teams perform better. Cultural intelligence is something that has always been important in Leadership, but it’s becoming more so as work structures become increasingly global and culturally diverse.
What is Cultural Intelligence?
Cultural intelligence in its simplest form is the ability to relate, connect, and work effectively across cultures. It contributes to better communication and effective leadership through understanding and sensitivity.
The concept of cultural intelligence in a professional environment is multi-dimensional.
Now more than ever, we are working with people from multicultural backgrounds within organisations locally and internationally, we have business partners and customers worldwide. So it’s important to understand what motivates and drives people, why people act in certain ways, why and how decisions are made, how this affects negotiations etc. Each culture has different norms, values, beliefs and communication styles that affect how they live and work.
Cultural intelligence is the ability to have an awareness and sensitivity to these aspects and to develop the knowledge and skills to work effectively. This is key to success in this new emerging world.
Cultures within an organisation
In addition to cultures globally and across different walks of life, there are also multiple cultures within an organisation. For example, different departments and teams often have their own ways of working and communicating, and inadvertently form their own cultures or silos.
In a tech company, for example, there are technical teams, customer-facing teams, sales teams, marketing teams etc. Anyone who has worked in a tech company knows that each of these has a culture of their own. Without a conscious effort to acknowledge how each piece fits together, and without committed work toward uniting the vision and goals, these silos can make the company's aspirations harder to achieve, which can result in the cultural values of the company not being lived out or felt by the employees.
5 Reasons why cultural intelligence is important to leadership in an organisation
Better communication and flow of information
Individuals who are culturally intelligent and sensitive are able to adapt their communication style to fit situations. They develop a sensitivity to a wide range of situations which allows them to display the appropriate level of respect, ask the right questions, understand the feelings and needs of others and use situationally appropriate words, verbal queues, topics of discussion, gestures and body language. This contributes to a foundation of trust, open and honest communication and a better flow of information.
Stronger interpersonal relationships
Employees and business partners who feel comfortable, understood and respected are more likely to trust one another and reach out to gain clarity and maintain communication. Individuals with high cultural intelligence are able to build relationships with others based on trust, transparency, and connection. Maintaining consistent and open communication builds stronger relationships which have a positive impact on the success of business.
Culturally sensitive leaders make better managers
Leaders who are culturally sensitive are able to better understand the individuals in their team, and understand that to treat people equally, doesn’t mean to treat them ‘the same’. Being culturally sensitive allows leaders to better understand individuals and what’s important to them, thus helping them grow and flourish. They’re able to pick up on the dynamics of a multicultural group in a meeting, and have skills to negotiate with individuals of other cultures by having a deeper understanding of values and priorities.
Attracting top talent in a competitive marketplace
Companies that celebrate cultural sensitivity as well as diversity and inclusion are likely to be more appealing to prospective employees as they are perceived as fostering an environment where diversity, inclusivity and culture are not just a ticks in the boxes, but are values that are nurtured and actively realised by the company.
Global success
When a company puts an emphasis on understanding and embracing global cultures, it increases its success in the global market. When client facing teams are more culturally aware, they are set up for more successful strategies, conversations and negotiations. Similarly, when teams within the organization embrace cultural intelligence, they are able to work with their colleagues from diverse teams, backgrounds and cultures more efficiently.
Leaders within an organisation have a responsibility to foster an environment of cultural awareness and intelligence. Although training is undeniably helpful, conventional training alone isn’t sufficient, as what’s required is not a one size fits all approach. Embracing cultural intelligence is about consistent reflection and a focus on growth and evolution. Coaching is one of the most effective ways to bridge these cultural gaps, as it is an approach which uses methodologies that are dynamic, flexible and future focused.
Ruby Rose Walker, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Ruby Rose is an international coach whose clients achieve life-changing transformation from the inside out. She is passionate about empowering individuals to step into their full potential to live with intention and lead with impact. Her unique life growing up across continents and cultures and her non-linear career path strongly influences her approach in unlocking the right path for each client. Knowing intimately how no two lives are the same, her work with clients is personal and tailored to each unique situation. She strongly believes there’s no right approach for all and coaches individuals to tap into their own unique potential to achieve a fulfilling life of their own. Having overcome her own experiences with a burnout in the past through mindful rewiring, Ruby Rose aims to be a partner on your journey to create a life of alignment, empowerment, and purpose you deserve.
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