Unlocking Leadership Impact with Cultural Intelligence (CQ)

wwwThe business case 

🐉 A leadership lesson from China

When I think of one of the biggest cultural challenges I faced in my career, my mind goes straight to my time in China, when I was tasked with opening a new subsidiary from scratch. Very quickly, I realized that the communication and leadership style I had relied on in the past was not working.

In France, where I came from, meetings were full of lively debates where everyone, regardless of level, felt free to challenge ideas. In China, I was met with silence.

I came to understand that contradicting the boss—or speaking up in front of a more senior colleague—was seen as disrespectful.

To adapt, I began sharing in advance the type of input I expected, so the team could brainstorm in smaller groups with peers of the same grade and contribute more confidently during meetings.

I also discovered that, to avoid making their boss “lose face,” employees would rarely admit they hadn’t understood a request. A simple “yes” could mean yes—or maybe, or “I don’t understand.”

To address this, I made it a habit to ask them to reframe my requests in their own words and explain the actions they would take.

These simple shifts worked like magic and became one of my most effective practices. I highly recommend them for building clarity, efficacy, and trust in cross-cultural collaborations.

The tool  

To grow your CQ: Be Curious.

Cultural intelligence (CQ) is the ability to understand, respect, and adapt to cultural differences. These differences show up not only across geographies, but also between generations, industries, organizations, and even functions within the same company.

The most powerful tool to develop CQ is curiosity. Instead of assuming you know where someone is coming from, be genuinely curious. Ask questions to uncover what shapes their behaviors, values, and beliefs.

When interacting across cultures, pay close attention to:

• ⏳ Time – Is it viewed as linear and precise, or flexible and relational?

• 🏛️ Power distance – Is hierarchy strictly respected, or is equality the norm?

• 🤝 Trust – Is trust earned through results, or through relationships?

• 💬 Communication & decision-making – How are ideas shared, feedback given, disagreements expressed, and persuasion achieved?

Building your CQ will help you create deeper connections based on trust and understanding – boosting both team performance and overall happiness.

The quote  

“Strength lies in differences, not similarities."

— Stephen R. Covey

Embracing diversity in organizations has proven to enhance both innovation and performance. In today’s interconnected world, cultural intelligence is not just a skill; it is a key to unlocking the full potential of teams and leaders.

🗝️ What could your team achieve if everyone applied cultural intelligence more effectively?