Last night I attended a David Livermore seminar on Cultural Intelligence (CQ). David provided a helpful way of thinking about helping people to develop competency in relating and ministering across cultures.
His own particular focus in relation to CQ has concerned short term missions. He cited research indicating that in those organisations which have a good track record the key component in having culturally intelligent short term mission teams is having culturally intelligent leaders, with education and tactical dimensions, while important, not having anywhere the same determinative importance.
Following Soon Ang & Linn van Dyne, Livermore defined CQ as “the capability to function effectively across national, ethnic and organisational cultures.” He contrasted CQ with IQ, in that while many controversially believe IQ for an individual is relatively fixed (one’s IQ as an adult will not be markedly different from one’s IQ as a child), individuals who begin by being incompetent in relating and ministering across cultures can develop CQ.
Livermore sees the development of CQ as involving a four step cycle:
CQ Drive
The key question here is: “What’s my motivation?” CQ Drive is our level of interest, drive and motivation to adapt cross-culturally.
Livermore warned against the “power” of compassion, where Christians engage in mission with paternalistic motives: “Look what I have done for these people!”
Also essential to developing healthy CQ Drive is the need to face our prejudices and fears. He recommended doing “Implicit Association Tests” online to help identify biases.
CQ Knowledge
A key question here is: What do I need? CQ Knowledge refers to our level of understanding about cultural issues.
CQ Strategy
A key question here is: What is my plan? CQ Strategy refers to the level of awareness and the ability to plan in the light of our cultural knowledge. Awareness involves not merely my awareness of cultural sensitivies relating to the other culture(s) with which I relate but also an awareness of how I might be being perceived.
CQ Action
A key question here is: How should I adapt? CQ Action is our level of adaptability when leading or relating cross-culturally.
For those seeking to develop effective cross-cultural ministries there are four areas to work on:
- Commitment to developing one’s own CQ.
- Encouraging honesty about one’s fears and biases.
- Recruiting CQ leaders - a very high priority.
- Weaving CQ conversation into one’s circles of influence.
www.facetofaceintercultural.com.au
Posted November 18, 2009
Upon clicking 'Buy now' you will be redirected to paypal.com where you can securely and quickly complete your purchase with a few clicks.
Immediately after payment at PayPal you will be redirected to a download page which
provides you instant access to your purchase.
