The month has flown by mainly due to almost a dozen opportunities to speak to groups about my recent work in India. I really enjoyed giving a lecture last night at my alma mater, George Fox University, for a class that I wish they had when I was there! "The Majority World and the West" focuses on the complexities of development, aid, diplomacy, justice, and much more. I spoke on partnerships and associated issues like dependency and accountability. Yes, I did give the 100+ seniors (from across all the undergrad programs) an overview of CQ!
A brief conversation as I was leaving caught my attention. A professor mentioned that the international student population has changed. When I was there, my freshman year roomate was part of a large contingent of Japanese students. However, apparently, the sister schools eventually lost interest in GF due to some miscommunication (i.e. CQ!) issues.
Now there is an agreement with a Chinese organization or institution which has resulted in about 125 Chinese students each semester. What if CQ had been applied by university representatives? The result could have been increased respect, reputation, and certainly more students -- which means more income -- with both Japanese and Chinese students contributing to the great learning environment at GF.
Although it may seem like a "soft skill", CQ clearly has fiscal payoffs.
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Monday, October 03, 2011
CQ more important than IQ?
Is CQ, your cultural quotient or "cultural intelligence", more important than IQ? What about EQ (your emotional intelligence -- which businesses often assess when hiring)? Of course, the answer is, "It depends."
First of all, the field of CQ is only about 12 years old. It started with the Y2K crisis when a Singaporian scientist noticed that IT experts were given identical instructions along with culturally sensitive team building activities...yet they returned home and solved the issue using their own methods. Since the field is new, there are a limited number of studies on what "success" CQ can bring. But it looks promising with consistent results from research in 35 countries and testing of about 25,000 people so far.
It also depends on your type of work. In many careers, with the exception of some highly technical fields where high IQ usually translates into success, CQ along with EQ seems to increase effectiveness.
Besides the type of career, CQ is especially helpful for those with certain responsibilities. It is proven to explain the success -- or failure -- of people who travel "widely but not deeply" across cultures (i.e. business executives, diplomats, relief workers). But it can also help anyone whose job includes virtual teams, outsourcing, global partnerships, or even dealing with diverse sub-cultures within a company.
Unlike IQ which remains mostly the same throughout your life, it's encouraging that CQ can be changed. Which also, in a sense, makes it more important than IQ. Time spent assessing and improving your CQ is not wasted time!
Personally, having studied cross-cultural interactions from a sociological and anthropological viewpoint during my M.A., I enjoy the statistical, factual, measurable aspects of CQ. It is based on scientific understandings of intelligence, has been validated by numerous "refereed" papers in top tier academic journals, and has been rigorously tested in the real world. It's not quite as squishy as other approaches -- to use a non-technical word.
Last week I became a "CQ Certified Facilitator" after some training with the Cultural Intelligence Center, based in the US. This organization is impressive -- they contribute to research and applying CQ to both for- and non-profit contexts. Very interesting and I'm looking forward to learning more.
First of all, the field of CQ is only about 12 years old. It started with the Y2K crisis when a Singaporian scientist noticed that IT experts were given identical instructions along with culturally sensitive team building activities...yet they returned home and solved the issue using their own methods. Since the field is new, there are a limited number of studies on what "success" CQ can bring. But it looks promising with consistent results from research in 35 countries and testing of about 25,000 people so far.
It also depends on your type of work. In many careers, with the exception of some highly technical fields where high IQ usually translates into success, CQ along with EQ seems to increase effectiveness.
Besides the type of career, CQ is especially helpful for those with certain responsibilities. It is proven to explain the success -- or failure -- of people who travel "widely but not deeply" across cultures (i.e. business executives, diplomats, relief workers). But it can also help anyone whose job includes virtual teams, outsourcing, global partnerships, or even dealing with diverse sub-cultures within a company.
Unlike IQ which remains mostly the same throughout your life, it's encouraging that CQ can be changed. Which also, in a sense, makes it more important than IQ. Time spent assessing and improving your CQ is not wasted time!
Personally, having studied cross-cultural interactions from a sociological and anthropological viewpoint during my M.A., I enjoy the statistical, factual, measurable aspects of CQ. It is based on scientific understandings of intelligence, has been validated by numerous "refereed" papers in top tier academic journals, and has been rigorously tested in the real world. It's not quite as squishy as other approaches -- to use a non-technical word.
Last week I became a "CQ Certified Facilitator" after some training with the Cultural Intelligence Center, based in the US. This organization is impressive -- they contribute to research and applying CQ to both for- and non-profit contexts. Very interesting and I'm looking forward to learning more.
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Cultural comparisons by a 4 year old
Our oldest son has been making some good observations since we returned to the USA in mid-August. Although most are about behavioral stuff -- and very funny -- I love the insights!
"We haven't bumped into anybody yet." Said while driving with grandma to the mall. Um, yes, personal space and driving are a bit different in India.
"Everything is so shiny here."
"Did you know that you can drink the water from the taps in America?" Instructions given to his younger brother.
"Be careful. There are cockroaches living in there." Said while pointing to the bathtub drain. I assume/hope it isn't true!
"What are the lines on the road for?"
Of course, this is great stuff for a little guy to notice. The challenge for me is that I tend to talk about the same things, but there are so many other levels of culture that deserve consideration and dialogue like beliefs, values, or worldview. Not easy to articulate, but there are hints provided by the behavoral stuff.
"We haven't bumped into anybody yet." Said while driving with grandma to the mall. Um, yes, personal space and driving are a bit different in India.
"Everything is so shiny here."
"Did you know that you can drink the water from the taps in America?" Instructions given to his younger brother.
"Be careful. There are cockroaches living in there." Said while pointing to the bathtub drain. I assume/hope it isn't true!
"What are the lines on the road for?"
Of course, this is great stuff for a little guy to notice. The challenge for me is that I tend to talk about the same things, but there are so many other levels of culture that deserve consideration and dialogue like beliefs, values, or worldview. Not easy to articulate, but there are hints provided by the behavoral stuff.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Favorite reads for understanding India
The transition to USA (both the time zone and just living here) is underway. It's been a month since we arrived in Portland. It is taking longer than I expected, but I'm back in my right mind (mostly) and ready to write, think, and discuss!
Over the last eleven years since I first visited India, I've read dozens of books and hundreds of articles and websites on interacting with Indian culture. Here are my top picks of books for the record. If you're doing to go to India for more than a month, or need to interact with Indian on a regular basis, these are invaluable.
Speaking of India: Bridging the Communication Gap When Working With Indians by Craig Storti (Washington, D.C.: Intercultural Press, 2007). Primarily for the business context, this goes beyond how to be polite or customs and delves in values or beliefs that are different. For example, what is the purpose of the meeting or the role of a manager in the India vs. the West? Very practical, helpful and full of case studies by a guy who used to be in the Peace Corp and has consulted with businesses in USA and India the last few years.
In Spite of the Gods: The Rise of Modern India by Edward Luce (New York: Anchor Books, 2008). Written by a British journalist who was stationed in India and is married to an Indian, this is a great overview of the paradoxes and amazing statistics of growing India. Also, you don't have to read from beginning to end. There are chapters on all the main issues today: the rise of the lower castes, India vs. China, etc. Great interview and crisp writing.
Being Indian: Inside the Real India by Pavan Varma (Penguin Books, 2004). A former Indian diplomat and well-known author asks the question, "With all the sub-cultures inside India, what are the common things or values that make all Indians tick?" He belives (and I agree) it is a unique pursuit of power, wealth, and technology combined with a contradictory embrace of violence and acccommodation.
Lastly, if you need a simple overview of India's history, traditions and customs, or etiquette (don't use your left hand to eat, etc.), then I recommend India - CultureSmart! (a very short booklet) or, for a little more depth, CultureShock! India. And a great book that is not India-specific but which definitely applies is Foreign to Familiar: A Guide to Understanding Hot and Cold Climate Cultures. This book -- along with Being Indian -- has the added benefit that it's written from a neutral cultural viewpoint. In other words, you could read this book along with your Indian friend and have a great discussion while the other books are targeting a Western audience.
Do you know of other great reads -- especially recently published books -- on India? I'd love to learn about them!
Over the last eleven years since I first visited India, I've read dozens of books and hundreds of articles and websites on interacting with Indian culture. Here are my top picks of books for the record. If you're doing to go to India for more than a month, or need to interact with Indian on a regular basis, these are invaluable.
Speaking of India: Bridging the Communication Gap When Working With Indians by Craig Storti (Washington, D.C.: Intercultural Press, 2007). Primarily for the business context, this goes beyond how to be polite or customs and delves in values or beliefs that are different. For example, what is the purpose of the meeting or the role of a manager in the India vs. the West? Very practical, helpful and full of case studies by a guy who used to be in the Peace Corp and has consulted with businesses in USA and India the last few years.
In Spite of the Gods: The Rise of Modern India by Edward Luce (New York: Anchor Books, 2008). Written by a British journalist who was stationed in India and is married to an Indian, this is a great overview of the paradoxes and amazing statistics of growing India. Also, you don't have to read from beginning to end. There are chapters on all the main issues today: the rise of the lower castes, India vs. China, etc. Great interview and crisp writing.
Being Indian: Inside the Real India by Pavan Varma (Penguin Books, 2004). A former Indian diplomat and well-known author asks the question, "With all the sub-cultures inside India, what are the common things or values that make all Indians tick?" He belives (and I agree) it is a unique pursuit of power, wealth, and technology combined with a contradictory embrace of violence and acccommodation.
Lastly, if you need a simple overview of India's history, traditions and customs, or etiquette (don't use your left hand to eat, etc.), then I recommend India - CultureSmart! (a very short booklet) or, for a little more depth, CultureShock! India. And a great book that is not India-specific but which definitely applies is Foreign to Familiar: A Guide to Understanding Hot and Cold Climate Cultures. This book -- along with Being Indian -- has the added benefit that it's written from a neutral cultural viewpoint. In other words, you could read this book along with your Indian friend and have a great discussion while the other books are targeting a Western audience.
Do you know of other great reads -- especially recently published books -- on India? I'd love to learn about them!
Monday, July 25, 2011
Change is Good: about the new blog title
This blog turned into an excuse to have a log-in and password to add articles to our Spotts Family blog while living in India from 2006-2011. Now that we're heading back to the USA, I'm reposting some of my entries on cultural experiences written over the last few years.
Then we'll embark on some new posts about what I'm reading, lessons learned (or still being learned) about developing cultures, thoughts about the new discipline of cultural intelligence, and much more. "This Windy World" is inspired by an anonymous quote about sailing but focused on the amazing variety and challenges of socio-cultural issues on our planet. Of course, I may occasionally disgress and write about sailing or flyfishing. Let's see.
Then we'll embark on some new posts about what I'm reading, lessons learned (or still being learned) about developing cultures, thoughts about the new discipline of cultural intelligence, and much more. "This Windy World" is inspired by an anonymous quote about sailing but focused on the amazing variety and challenges of socio-cultural issues on our planet. Of course, I may occasionally disgress and write about sailing or flyfishing. Let's see.
Monday, July 04, 2011
Leaving India
When Libby and I moved to India in January 2006, we thought we'd work here for a long time...perhaps until any children were in middle school. There are so many opportunities in India: to help the needy, a growing economy, a diverse culture, amazing geography to explore, and more.
But we've decided to end our contract and move back to the USA in August. The decision has even shocked us a bit. We certainly have mixed emotions. On the one hand, we've been going two years at a time and re-evaluating after each chapter if we want to continue or not. We've completed almost 6 years and feel satisfied we've achieved many things, especially with my Indian clients and colleagues. Of course, it's not just about getting things done. Our children were all (four) were born here and we've had positive relationships with neighbors, shopkeepers, government officials, etc. And we've grown personally through challenges we intentionally brought upon ourselves by living in a developing country as well as challenges thrust upon us.
Through it all, we've learned more about ourselves and our place in this world. This is a process that most people haven't seen, of course, but has intensified over the last few months through conversations with a trusted counselor, close friends, colleagues, and family.
When my mom died in June 2000 and I listened to the things said at her memorial service, I had several things seared into my mind forever: we have one life to live to its fullest and people are what matter. For me, that involves helping my family thrive and using my gifts/talents to help the needy as best I can.
I'm a bit nervous about the next season of life...But sometimes we have to take one step at a time and trust that we've been walking on the right path...and the lamp in our shaking hands will reveal the next step as we move forward.
(originally posted on Monday, July 04, 2011 as "A decision...and Ben's thoughts" at http://spottsfamily.blogspot.com/2011/07/decisionand-bens-thoughts.html)
But we've decided to end our contract and move back to the USA in August. The decision has even shocked us a bit. We certainly have mixed emotions. On the one hand, we've been going two years at a time and re-evaluating after each chapter if we want to continue or not. We've completed almost 6 years and feel satisfied we've achieved many things, especially with my Indian clients and colleagues. Of course, it's not just about getting things done. Our children were all (four) were born here and we've had positive relationships with neighbors, shopkeepers, government officials, etc. And we've grown personally through challenges we intentionally brought upon ourselves by living in a developing country as well as challenges thrust upon us.
Through it all, we've learned more about ourselves and our place in this world. This is a process that most people haven't seen, of course, but has intensified over the last few months through conversations with a trusted counselor, close friends, colleagues, and family.
When my mom died in June 2000 and I listened to the things said at her memorial service, I had several things seared into my mind forever: we have one life to live to its fullest and people are what matter. For me, that involves helping my family thrive and using my gifts/talents to help the needy as best I can.
I'm a bit nervous about the next season of life...But sometimes we have to take one step at a time and trust that we've been walking on the right path...and the lamp in our shaking hands will reveal the next step as we move forward.
(originally posted on Monday, July 04, 2011 as "A decision...and Ben's thoughts" at http://spottsfamily.blogspot.com/2011/07/decisionand-bens-thoughts.html)
Tuesday, May 03, 2011
A million details to remember in India
It was really great having Libby's mom here with us for 2.5 months. However, in explaining how our house works, I realized how many small, inconvenient details exist in our daily lives here. It's not a complaint, just a fact. Here's a room by room guide.
Kitchen: don't forget that you can't run the microwave and toaster at same time or circuit breaker will trip, to turn on water pump for 20-30 min each day (to get water up to roof tank), to listen to pump -- if it runs dry it will burn up! to cover garbage to discourage cockroaches, to put honey in bowl with water or ants will get to it, and more
Bedrooms: don't forget to turn on/off ceiling fan when you leave the room, turn on/off the air conditioner, close the door to bathroom (and windows) when A/C is on.
Bathrooms: jiggle the faucets to get the water to turn off, turn on the water heater for hot water (and don't forget to turn off)
All rooms: don't forget to open windows at night and close them by 10am to keep the cool air inside, when you open/close windows you must be sure the velcro screens are resealed (or risk mosquito invasion), turn on the switch by the outlet if you want to use an appliance.
And more. You get the picture. Could some of these be fixed? Probably, but most aren't a big deal...until they are all combined! All I have to say: when my memory starts to fade, I will have a hard time living here!
(originally published on Tuesday, May 03, 2011 as "A million details to remember in India" at http://spottsfamily.blogspot.com/2011/05/million-details-to-remember-in-india.html)
Kitchen: don't forget that you can't run the microwave and toaster at same time or circuit breaker will trip, to turn on water pump for 20-30 min each day (to get water up to roof tank), to listen to pump -- if it runs dry it will burn up! to cover garbage to discourage cockroaches, to put honey in bowl with water or ants will get to it, and more
Bedrooms: don't forget to turn on/off ceiling fan when you leave the room, turn on/off the air conditioner, close the door to bathroom (and windows) when A/C is on.
Bathrooms: jiggle the faucets to get the water to turn off, turn on the water heater for hot water (and don't forget to turn off)
All rooms: don't forget to open windows at night and close them by 10am to keep the cool air inside, when you open/close windows you must be sure the velcro screens are resealed (or risk mosquito invasion), turn on the switch by the outlet if you want to use an appliance.
And more. You get the picture. Could some of these be fixed? Probably, but most aren't a big deal...until they are all combined! All I have to say: when my memory starts to fade, I will have a hard time living here!
(originally published on Tuesday, May 03, 2011 as "A million details to remember in India" at http://spottsfamily.blogspot.com/2011/05/million-details-to-remember-in-india.html)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)