Cultural Ability and Intelligence

Running Head: CULTURE 0
CULTURAL ABILITY AND INTELLIGENCE
JANUARY 11, 2019

CULTURE 1
Cultural awareness is a very broad term and for exploring various linked aspects, one needs
to perceive own cultural characteristics (Spencer-Oatey & Franklin, 2012). In every community, there
is a presence of many numbers of cultures separated by race, class, cast and religion. If a person
wants to communicate and share ideas with individuals belonging to other culture, cultural
awareness will be required as it provides people an individual recognition in the community with
considering several sorts of beliefs, perceptions and value (Heine et al, 2008). In this reflection, I am
trying to refer my own culture with respect to cultural self-awareness and cultural intelligence.
When cultural self-awareness is evolved in the individuals, they also tend to recognise their
responsibilities, preferences and rules in arrangement with other cultures and this aspect plays a
significant role in the development of an individual (Quappe & Cantatore, 2005). Moreover, there
are numerous advantages for the people recognised their culture beliefs. For instance, there are
some respective values constituted in and by an individual and in leadership, when individuals
acquire knowledge of value cultural values and beliefs, it helps them to use these values and beliefs
into their particular style considering leadership. Later on, it also helps leader in various particular
practices and progress of leading by outlining various negative aspects to him. Moreover, in business
enterprise, cultural awareness is important, as there is building of relationship with clients that
invites discoveries, core values, authenticity and respective communication (Olson. 2008). Hence,
the significance of cultural awareness is linked to various areas relating to communication and
comprehensive thinking.
On the other perspectives, cultural intelligence refers to the ability of an individual to be
successful in a comprehensive environment. Going beyond existing concepts of cultural awareness
and sensitivity, it is significant to recognise the recurring capabilities of individuals who can
effectively attain their goals, whatever the cultural framework (Ng, Van Dyne & Ang, 2009).
Moreover, this aspect also helps during the effective course of leadership and support the belief that
– “leader knows the way, shows the way and goes the way”. Other than organisation, cultural
intelligence also helps individuals in their routine life practices by making them aware of various
outcomes and happenings. For instance, it helps people to communicate with others that belong to
other cultures, consists of unlike beliefs and thoughts, and thus leads to progressive considerations
among one another (Spencer-Oatey & Franklin, 2012). As per the philosophy of cultural intelligence,
it is important that individuals be aware of their own cultures, values and beliefs with consideration
of other cultural aspects and philosophies (Brislin, Worthley & Macnab, 2006). In addition, one can
develop their cultural intelligence effectively in major three areas and procedures. These are –
develop learning strategies to find access points into the new culture, showing people that you
accept individual from other culture and believing in your ability to adapt to the diverse cultures.