Onsite reflection. Journal Entry Reflection—Cultural Intelligence

Journal Entry Reflection—Cultural Intelligence
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Journal Entry Reflection—Cultural Intelligence
Lessons
Undoubtedly, globalization has made the world a one-stop-shop. Thanks to technology, companies can now do business across geographical borders, meaning they interact with employees and customers across the globe. However, the new development also leads to challenges of cultural disparities, language barriers, differences in approaches to communication, and values (Livermore, 2010). Therefore, business leaders and company managers must have cultural intelligence to help them address and deal with the challenges. In other words, they can only embrace cultural diversity and promote tolerance when they have knowledge and understanding of the different, often conflicting cultures. I have learned the following great lessons from Livermore’s article regarding cultural intelligence in the business world.
Firstly, business leaders need to learn from people with different backgrounds. One can only work effectively with others when they know their values, communication styles, and beliefs. For example, Muslim employees have a reserved tradition. They value prayer and community support. Not only do they shun skimpy dressing, but they also discourage alcoholism and drug use. On their part, Chinese nationals appreciate eye contact, timeliness and gifts before business negotiations. While they are eager to strike business negotiations, they take time to accept the deals since they are highly cautious. Brazilians and Americans would not mind casual dressing during important business meetings. The western culture allows hugs, kisses, and walking while holding hands, something that Muslims would condemn (Livermore, 2010). Unlike the Asians, Americans would even toss to a drink—whiskey—to set the mood right. In other words, a business leader must know these cultural trends to they conduct business seamlessly.
Secondly, global leadership comes with disorienting challenges that even experience and emotional intelligence alone cannot resolve. However, cultural intelligence equips them with insights into improving their competitiveness and effectiveness in a global, multicultural world. As business leaders interact through seminars, recruit employees from diverse cultures, they gain lessons that help them to espouse the best international practices at the workplace (Livermore, 2010). Not only do they improve their cross-cultural awareness, but they also become better managers of people— leaders who can work in a diverse environment.
Thirdly, cultural intelligence allows people to treat others with greater dignity and respect, whi...