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Become a Do you have the cultural savvy it takes to be Strategies for improving CQ Drive:
global player considered a global player? The one characteristic
that global procurement professionals need is • Take some unconscious bias tests and seek feedback.
Dr Tom Verghese cultural intelligence.
• Identify your passions and why you care about them.
Former Fortune 500 adviser; It isn’t until we are procuring and dealing with people of different
Director, Cultural Synergies cultures around the world that we have to think and function with • Welcome opportunities to mentor others as a “cultural broker”.
a global mindset. We don’t think about it on a conscious level, but
“A big challenge when procuring when we step out of our familiar cultural environments, culture Strategies for improving your CQ Knowledge:
across cultures is that we often have does matter and we do notice it. A big challenge when procuring
expectations that other people are across cultures is that we often have expectations that other • C hoose a culture that interests you. Read a novel, magazine or
similar to us or that they ‘play by the people are similar to us or that they “play by the same rules”. local newspaper from an overseas site, or an author native to
same rules’. These are dangerous that country.
assumptions.” These are dangerous assumptions.
• V isit culturally significant places to learn more about them. For
Love this article? Defining Cultural Intelligence example, a mosque, synagogue or sporting venue.
Share with your contacts via Procurious!
Cultural Intelligence (CQ) is the ability to work effectively across • Continuously observe body language, facial expressions,
cultures. CQ helps to provide greater insights and understandings gestures when you are interacting with people of different
into the behaviours, values and attitudes of others from a cultural cultural backgrounds.
perspective.
• Don’t be afraid to ask questions. People love to talk about their
Cultural Intelligence consists of four components: culture. This can also be a great way to build relationships.
1. CQ Drive: The motivation and confidence to adapt to a Strategies for improving CQ Strategy:
multicultural situation. It consists of intrinsic and extrinsic
interests and the drive to learn and understand different • Practise detaching yourself from the situation and observing.
cultures, their norms and behaviours. You will be more impartial and less judgemental. You will see
and hear the things that are not being said.
2. CQ Knowledge: Understanding cultural similarities and
differences. This includes knowledge of the values, norms and • O bserve your own behaviours and emotions when you are in
practices in different cultural settings. different cultural settings, such as what you are thinking and
feeling.
3. CQ Strategy: Awareness and ability to plan for multicultural
interactions. It incorporates how we apply our CQ Knowledge • L earn basic small talk, norms and appropriate social behaviours
insights. For example, checking assumptions and observations that are culturally appropriate.
when interacting with people of different cultures.
Strategy for improving CQ Skills:
4. CQ Skills: The ability to appropriately adapt verbal and non-
verbal communication in cross-cultural situations, including how • Learn some basic language, such as how to greet people.
well we can adapt when things don’t go according to plan.
• Spend time planning how you are going to act, react and
manage your own expectations, and those of others during
conversations.
• Modify your tone and speed of speech according to your
observations and language competency of the receiver.
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