Who would have thought I would get to meet and speak with Dr. Catherine Wu, and in her adopted city of Singapore. An expert in cultural intelligence Catherine, shared her journey from a small village in France to teaching in Asia. She emphasizes the importance of understanding cultural values and how they impact interactions in diverse environments.

In our short time together we covered a number of Key aspects related to CQ including:

1.      Cultural Intelligence Framework: Dr. Wu discusses the four components of Cultural Intelligence (CQ): Drive, Knowledge, Strategy, and Action. These components are essential for effective adaptation and building positive relationships in multicultural settings.

2.      Power Distance and Collectivism vs. Individualism: She delves into cultural values like power distance, which affects respect for authority and communication styles. Additionally, she explores how collectivist cultures prioritize group harmony over individual opinions, contrasting with individualistic cultures that emphasize personal accountability.

3.      Challenges in Cross-Cultural Communication: Dr. Wu shares her personal struggle with communication styles, particularly in navigating the balance between directness and saving face, a common challenge in Confucianist cultures like those in Asia.

4.      Practical Steps for Culturally Intelligent Leadership: She suggests that cultivating cultural intelligence begins with awareness and storytelling. Sharing personal experiences and cultural insights can help raise awareness and bridge understanding among team members, ultimately fostering a more inclusive and culturally intelligent workplace.

In essence, Dr. Wu highlights the importance of cultural sensitivity and effective communication in navigating diverse cultural landscapes, urging leaders to share their experiences to promote greater cultural understanding and collaboration.

If you want to hear more from Catherine and her students studying CQ, check out the range of Podcasts featuring Dr. Wu as presenter or in her Producer role.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/drcatherinewu/

• The Cultural Quotient – featuring Dr. Catherine Wu - 
• CQ Leading with culture – Produced by Dr. Catherine Wu
• CQ WEESDOM - Produced by Dr. Catherine Wu