Cultural Intelligence: CQ: The Competitive Edge for Leaders Crossing Borders

by Julia Middleton

Right now, vast amounts of time and money are being invested all round the world in building global brands and organisations. But where are the global leaders who will lead them? Leaders who can cross cultural between east and west, and north and south; between faiths and beliefs; between public, private and voluntary sectors; and between the generations? Where are the leaders who can lead in what Julia calls the “magnet cities” of the where the world's most talented young people will convene? Because these people will simply turn their backs on bosses who demand that their teams think and behave alike. The race is on to develop leaders with CQ. And this book is designed to give readers a decisive head start. In the process, Julia has spoken to leaders all round the world, and invited them to tell their own CQ successful and disastrous, serious and funny, poignant, pragmatic and often highly personal. The result is surprising, challenging and frequently uncomfortable (there is no simplistic advice here about how to exchange business cards in the correct local manner). But the ambition is huge. As is the prize for the next generation of leaders who see the opportunity she outlines - and grasp it.

Genres: Business

224 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2014

About the author

Julia Middleton is the founder and Chief Executive of Common Purpose Charitable Trust. She is passionate about helping people to develop as leaders, and campaigns to encourage leaders from all backgrounds to make an active and tangible contribution to their communities and to wider society.

In the autumn of 1988, Julia formed Common Purpose, a not-for-profit social enterprise. Common Purpose runs leadership development programmes that enable people from different backgrounds, sectors and geographies to work together to solve common problems. In the process, it gives participants the inspiration, skills and connections to become better leaders, both at work and in society.

Common Purpose runs local courses for leaders in cities across the world, and global programmes for leaders from over 100 countries across six continents. Each year, 4,000 leaders become Common Purpose alumni.

Julia has helped in the founding of: Demos (an independent think tank), Impetus Trust (developing venture philanthropy in the UK) and was also involved in the founding of The Media Standards Trust (fostering high standards in the news media) and Alfanar (developing venture philanthropy in the Arab world) and is now on the board of both. She is also on the International Advisory Council for Fundação Dom Cabral (a non-profit business institution in Brazil).

Julia was born in London and educated at French Lycées around the world. She worked for the Industrial Society after receiving an economics degree from the London School of Economics. She is married and has five children.

Julia is the author of the bestselling book Beyond Authority: Leadership in a Changing World and her latest book CQ: The competitive edge for leaders crossing borders will be published on 22 May 2014. Julia defines Cultural Intelligence (CQ) as “the ability to cross divides and thrive in multiple cultures”.

Reviews

[Tony Drummond · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book looks at how cultural intelligence can help business leaders cross boundaries and work better internationally.

The foundation of the book is for an idea or concept to be suggested and then for various leaders to provide quotes on how they interpret the idea and to provide examples.

I approached this book to see how cultural intelligence could help me to deal with diversity in general life. Whilst not all of the book is appropriate for this approach there is enough in it to help everyone not just business leaders. Perhaps a version of this book could be written as a general self help book as the current book may limit its audience by feeling like a management self help book.

[Geoff Maddock · Rating 5 out of 5]

So helpful

Was essential reading for me to restore many principles I first learned during an MA in intercultural studies. Core and flex is an excellent doorway to the complexities of cultural difference.

[Jessie B. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some interesting ideas. Not sure how I feel about all of it but the book got me thinking.

[Leslie Chamberlain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Still one of my favorites! I go back to this frequently

[GONZA · Rating 3 out of 5]

CQ, or cultural intelligence is the ability of a person to move in different cultural contexts and it is therefore evident that it is a key factor for those who consider themselves leaders and have to deal with many different people. There are some prerequisites to develop a high level of CQ, as there are also strategies to be adopted, for me the key is not to judge before, do not rely on appearances, the look, or the accent, etc.. In the end always comes the time of judgment, especially for a leader, but it will be one done based on further information, collected with a more open mind.

CQ o cultural intelligence é la capacitá di una persona di muoversi in contesti culturali diversi ed è quindi evidente come sia un fattore fondamentale per coloro che si considerano dei leader ed hanno a che fare con molte persone diverse. Ci sono dei prerequisiti per sviluppare un alto livello di CQ, come ci sono anche delle strategie da adottare, per me la fondamentale resta non giudicare mai prima, non basarsi sulle apparenze, sul look, sull'accento etc. Alla fine si arriva sempre al momento del giudizio, specialmente per un leader, ma sará fatto sulla base di maggiori informazioni, raccolte con una mente piú aperta.

THANKS TO NETGALLEY AND BLOOMSBURY PUBLISHING PIC FOR THE PREVIEW!

[Jeanette · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was lucky to win this book by Julia Middleton in the Goodreads First Reads Giveaway, believing it was a book that my husband would be interested in. He described this book as being very well written and hopes to read it again some time.

[Isabel · Rating 5 out of 5]

"(...)no puedes pasar toda la vida viendo el mundo a través de los ojos de otras personas, pero puedes mejorar mucho a partir de donde has empezado."

[Vimla Appadoo · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read

This book has helped shaped me in so many ways. It's helped me understand more about myself and in turn understand more about others. I can't wait to share what I've learnt