tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3154569229380760325.post7049429664417525823..comments2023-10-10T17:07:36.114+02:00Comments on cross-cultural moments: Cultural QuotientElizabeth Abbothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09763064258020825441noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3154569229380760325.post-52744506339500088672008-02-01T18:15:00.000+01:002008-02-01T18:15:00.000+01:00Welcome Matt and Chris.Thanks for stopping by.Chri...Welcome Matt and Chris.<BR/>Thanks for stopping by.<BR/>Chris, I see you are doing the St.John's MBA program which should approach global business at some point in the program and now you know about CQ! I'd be glad to stop by and do a presentation on cross-cultural skills. <BR/><BR/>Matt, a colleague I see (took a peek at your blog). So true all you say. While you work with pre-departure, I work with those on site and dealing with the messy, tricky real living across cultures day by day which takes being your genuine self while being curious and thoughtful about other ways of being and doing -- not always an easy task in practice and we all need help before, during and after an assignment. Let's keep in touch.Elizabeth Abbothttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09763064258020825441noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3154569229380760325.post-58217640809972294862008-02-01T16:33:00.000+01:002008-02-01T16:33:00.000+01:00I read Farfallina's blog as well and through her b...I read Farfallina's blog as well and through her blogroll I found yours. Interesting concept "C.Q.", and I think one that won't gain full appreciation for years.<BR/><BR/>In glancing over your blog I had a chance to read some of your other posts, intriguing to say the least. I look forward to reading more...RTD in Italiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00486713088977906920noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3154569229380760325.post-61757508279712327632008-02-01T16:17:00.000+01:002008-02-01T16:17:00.000+01:00Great post - and mostly I agree with what you're s...Great post - and mostly I agree with what you're saying.<BR/><BR/>I believe that you're right in that mimicking behaviours can lead to worse misunderstandings than being ignorant in the first place.<BR/><BR/>However I am a firm believer that it is essential to be <I>aware</I> of the cultural niceties. Adapting one's own behaviour, whether through training or coaching (or hypnosis or mediation, or you other chosen method) is doomed in the long run. Anything we do "unnaturally" will seem insincere and awkward - mostly becuase it is exactly that. However being aware of the cultural values of your own society/background/company/generation and that of the person you are dealing with, can mean that communications are simpler, easier to understand and less likely to cause offense. It's not only about (not) causing offence though. In business, knowledge of the negotiating style of a culture can be an advantage - especially if they are trying to adapt their behaviour patterns to match yours (i.e. had superficial cultural training). For them the behaviours are forced, unnatural; where as the culturally aware are acting from a much stronger position, while retaining their core cultural valuesMattMacLhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17922685647452081523noreply@blogger.com