Cultural Intelligence, Second Edition
Living and Working Globally
By: David C. Thomas, Kerr Inkson
Published: August 2009
Format: Paperback, 264pp
ISBN-13: 9781576756256
Publisher: Berrett-Koehler Publishers
"The world is becoming more interdependent; to keep pace we must all learn to think globally - we must all develop our cultural intelligence", write intercultural relations experts David C. Thomas and Kerr Inkson in their essential guide to global cultural understanding Cultural Intelligence, Second Edition: Living and Working Globally. In this completely revised and updated second edition, the authors demonstrate how globalization has not only affected the business world of work, but our everyday lives as well. As a result, the ability to understand and adapt to different cultures is crucial in the modern global village.
David C. Thomas (photo left) and Kerr Inkson understand that it's almost impossible to provide a laundry list of cultural routines for every country. Instead, the authors take a more holistic approach to the concept of cultural intelligence. They focus on universal skills, including listening, understanding, and mindfulness, that can be applied in any cross cultural contact situation. Because the world is now a much smaller place than ever before in history, the number of intercultural business and personal encounters is growing constantly. All too often, people lacking sensitivity cultural differences expect others to be more like them, resulting in contacts that are not satisfactory to anyone involved. The authors urge the reader to discard any preconceived ideas and biases, and become more attuned to understanding and valuing cultural differences.
Kerr Inkson (photo left) and David Thomas recognize that a general approach to cross cultural exchanges only goes so far in any relationship. The authors also provide very useful advice on putting those overall principles to work. The book contains important chapters on decision making across cultures, as well as managing staff and providing leadership. Because many teams are culturally diverse, with many different sensitivities, the authors share ideas on team development, including selection of personnel and motivation. Perhaps even more importantly, the book contains a chapter on cultural understanding in our daily lives, as our society becomes more culturally diverse over time.
For me, the power of the book is the holistic approach taken by David Thomas and Kerr Inkson. Their general principles, drawn from the well known fields of intelligence guotient (IQ) and emotional intelligence (EQ), help to bridge the knowledge gap toward embracing cultural intelligence (CQ). Unlike other books on working and conducting business in other cultures, this book focuses on developing a sense of understanding and being open to differences. That cultural mindfulness prevents falling into old habits of insensitivity, and emphasizes adaptability to any cultural situation. The authors help the reader to develop cross cultural skills that are effective both at home or elsewhere in the world.
I highly recommend the must read book Cultural Intelligence, Second Edition: Living and Working Globally by David C. Thomas and Kerr Inkson, to anyone in business, academia, or anyone who simply desires a deeper awareness of effective and rewarding interactions with people from other cultures. The authors create a valuable and easy to understand framework for developing cross cultural understanding, while providing practical concepts and techniques for successful international and local business or social interaction.
Read the indispensable book on developing cross cultural understanding Cultural Intelligence, Second Edition: Living and Working Globally by David C. Thomas and Kerr Inkson, and learn to switch off the narrow cultural cruise control of stereotyping and expectations that people in other cultures need to change their behavior. Instead, discover the wonderful value and opportunity of learning and understanding other cultures, and becoming part of our global village.
