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Cultural Intelligence: Living and Working Globally
As the world grows more connected every day, the need also grows for an updated edition of this classic guidebook to help navigate the ever-expanding cultural mazes of a truly globalized world.
240 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
12 people are currently reading
128 people want to read
About the author
David C. Thomas
15 books2 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Please see: David C. Thomas
David C Thomas (PhD University of South Carolina) is currently the Beedie Professor of International Management at Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, Canada.
He is the author of ten books including the bestselling Cultural Intelligence: Living and Working Globally, (2009, Berrett-Koehler Publishers). His book Cross-Cultural Management Essential Concepts (2008, Sage Publications) was the winner of the R. Wayne Pace Human Resource Development book of the year award for 2008. In addition, he has recently edited (with Peter B. Smith and Mark Peterson) The Handbook of Cross-Cultural Management Research from Sage Publications. His research on cross-cultural interactions in organizational settings has appeared in numerous journals. He is currently the Area Editor of the Journal of International Business Studies and serves on the editorial boards of the Journal of World Business, Journal of Organizational Behavior, and European Journal of Cross-Cultural Competence and Management.
His previous academic postings have included positions at the Australian Graduate School of Management, University of New South Wales, Australia, the Pennsylvania State University and The University of Auckland, New Zealand, where he was also Director of the Master of International Business Program.
Please see: David C. Thomas
David C Thomas (PhD University of South Carolina) is currently the Beedie Professor of International Management at Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, Canada.
He is the author of ten books including the bestselling Cultural Intelligence: Living and Working Globally, (2009, Berrett-Koehler Publishers). His book Cross-Cultural Management Essential Concepts (2008, Sage Publications) was the winner of the R. Wayne Pace Human Resource Development book of the year award for 2008. In addition, he has recently edited (with Peter B. Smith and Mark Peterson) The Handbook of Cross-Cultural Management Research from Sage Publications. His research on cross-cultural interactions in organizational settings has appeared in numerous journals. He is currently the Area Editor of the Journal of International Business Studies and serves on the editorial boards of the Journal of World Business, Journal of Organizational Behavior, and European Journal of Cross-Cultural Competence and Management.
His previous academic postings have included positions at the Australian Graduate School of Management, University of New South Wales, Australia, the Pennsylvania State University and The University of Auckland, New Zealand, where he was also Director of the Master of International Business Program.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
May 29, 2013
This is a book that is a very good entrance text into the topic of Cultural Intelligence. I would like to see this as compulsory reading for every school student around the world.
Many easy to understand examples are included and clearly explained.
I can't recommend this book highly enough, especially to teachers and school librarians.
Many easy to understand examples are included and clearly explained.
I can't recommend this book highly enough, especially to teachers and school librarians.
March 15, 2017
This book explores how to work with people from different cultural backgrounds. As such, it has a strong business focus, but there are also some good pointers on how to be mindful of cultural differences.
June 24, 2017
Compilation of various case studies to help the reader consider various differences found in many cultures and how that affects the work place and business expectations.
Why I started this book: Short and I was looking for tricks and techniques to help my own world adventures.
Why I finished it: While this book was about techniques it did present a new framework to interpret the world and people around you. Good reminder to take off the cultural cruise control and live mindfully as you communicate and interact with people.
Why I started this book: Short and I was looking for tricks and techniques to help my own world adventures.
Why I finished it: While this book was about techniques it did present a new framework to interpret the world and people around you. Good reminder to take off the cultural cruise control and live mindfully as you communicate and interact with people.
August 24, 2018
Difficult to rate; I think the quality of the experience and takeaways depends a lot on expectations. This book might be better titled "Becoming Culturally Intelligent," or "Improving Your Cultural Intelligence;" ie, the focus is on developing a framework so that you can get the most out of cross-cultural experiences.
The primary framework offered for learning is a three step iterative process: 1) gain knowledge; 2) be mindful; 3) acquire the skills to adapt your behavior. The authors are clear from the beginning that this is not the book to give you tips or a "laundry list" of do's and don'ts. In other words, this not the place to gain culture- or country-specific knowledge.
Rather, they outline two (similar, confuse-able) theories of how cultures may differ. Both are lists of values or "orientations" that represent a set of axes that a culture may fall along. People from cultures that are far apart on an axis may run into negative experiences if they do not understand how that gap will impact their interaction. To me, this was the most useful part of the book, but the coverage was a bit uneven. For myself, I would be interested in a deeper dive on each of these axes than offered in this book.
Final thought -- each chapter included several anecdotes illustrating a cross-cultural interaction "gone wrong," leading into an analysis of the value/orientation that caused the negative outcome; essentially offering lots of "don'ts." I understand that the authors were specifically avoiding the "do's and don'ts" format, but I really would have liked to see a few examples of how the same situation might have been handled more positively.
The primary framework offered for learning is a three step iterative process: 1) gain knowledge; 2) be mindful; 3) acquire the skills to adapt your behavior. The authors are clear from the beginning that this is not the book to give you tips or a "laundry list" of do's and don'ts. In other words, this not the place to gain culture- or country-specific knowledge.
Rather, they outline two (similar, confuse-able) theories of how cultures may differ. Both are lists of values or "orientations" that represent a set of axes that a culture may fall along. People from cultures that are far apart on an axis may run into negative experiences if they do not understand how that gap will impact their interaction. To me, this was the most useful part of the book, but the coverage was a bit uneven. For myself, I would be interested in a deeper dive on each of these axes than offered in this book.
Final thought -- each chapter included several anecdotes illustrating a cross-cultural interaction "gone wrong," leading into an analysis of the value/orientation that caused the negative outcome; essentially offering lots of "don'ts." I understand that the authors were specifically avoiding the "do's and don'ts" format, but I really would have liked to see a few examples of how the same situation might have been handled more positively.
October 29, 2017
This book explains the concept of cultural intelligence and why it's important, demonstrating the points with numerous situations/examples.
I read this book while studying for the Managerial Communications CLEP. While this book is helpful toward that goal, it would be more useful if I currently had the time or opportunity to experience another culture. My current hometown has a low level of diversity, which makes practicing these concepts much harder. HOWEVER, I'm still glad I read it, and I will happily review it in the future when interacting with people whose culture is different from mine.
I read this book while studying for the Managerial Communications CLEP. While this book is helpful toward that goal, it would be more useful if I currently had the time or opportunity to experience another culture. My current hometown has a low level of diversity, which makes practicing these concepts much harder. HOWEVER, I'm still glad I read it, and I will happily review it in the future when interacting with people whose culture is different from mine.
January 19, 2018
Interesting book, some good thoughts regarding the term cultural intelligence, some good examples. Definitely got me thinking, but not really an eye opener.
August 31, 2023
Too surface level. Appreciated specific examples of cultural integration challenges but book mostly had basic guidelines (going to China creates more CI than going to a Chinese restaurant)
August 13, 2015
This volume is surprisingly accessible, introducing core concepts related to how to perform and adapt within any variety of cross-cultural situations. I appreciate that the book does not get bogged down in organizational research and instead provides anecdotal vignettes (rather than extended case studies) to depict the kinds of issues that are relevant to cooperating with and within other cultures.
This book lays a foundation for further growth; it doesn't provide lists of cultural differences nor does it provide a lot of practical skills. Rather, it presents a framework for personal growth and adaptation, giving encouragement and basic direction while justifying the value of knowledge, mindfulness, and skill/behavior that contribute to successful interaction outside of one's own national culture.
It's a surprisingly quick read that will provide a valuable launching point for team or workplace discussion and exploration of the impact of operating within a multicultural environment. Recommended.
This book lays a foundation for further growth; it doesn't provide lists of cultural differences nor does it provide a lot of practical skills. Rather, it presents a framework for personal growth and adaptation, giving encouragement and basic direction while justifying the value of knowledge, mindfulness, and skill/behavior that contribute to successful interaction outside of one's own national culture.
It's a surprisingly quick read that will provide a valuable launching point for team or workplace discussion and exploration of the impact of operating within a multicultural environment. Recommended.
September 10, 2017
Far from a list on do and do not's, this book is excellent in teaching cultural mindfulness and creativity. I highly recommend this book for anyone. As the world globalizes and travel between cultures becomes more regular and rewarding you can benefit highly from the experiences of these writers.
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June 20, 2013I highly recommend this book. It is a must read for business people and those interested in other cultures. It was entertaining and insightful.
July 22, 2014
Un excelente libro de consulta para personas que cambian de pais, en mi caso de ciudad...
April 8, 2018
Book Riot Read Harder Challenge 2018 Task 14: A book of social science
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews