Management 13th Edition by John Schermerhorn,Daniel Bachrach

Exercise 12

LEARN ABOUT YOURSELF
Cultural Intelligence Opens Doors to Opportunity
T he complications and drama of global events are constant reminders that the ability to work and communicate well across cultures is one of the great challenges of our time. It is hard to pass a day, for example, without encountering Asia's influence on global politics and economics. When our business and government leaders venture into Asia, we want them to be successful. They must have high cultural intelligence, including an awareness of Confucian values such as those shown in the box.
Confucian Values in Asian Cultures
• Harmony -works well in a group, doesn't disrupt group order, puts group before self-interests
• Hierarchy -accepts authority and hierarchical nature of society; doesn't challenge superiors
• Benevolence -acts kindly and understandingly toward others; paternalistic, willing to teach and help subordinates
• Loyalty -loyal to organization and supervisor, dedicated to job, grateful for job and supportive of superiors
• Learning -eager for new knowledge, works hard to learn new job skills, strives for high performance
Cultural differences can be frustrating and even feel threatening. Our ways of doing things may seem strange or even offensive to others, and vice-versa. Consultant Richard Lewis warns of "cultural spectacles" that limit our vision, causing us to see and interpret things with the biases of our own culture. Cultural intelligence, by contrast, helps us to adapt to new cultures and work well in culturally diverse situations. It helps us break the habits of our culture and engage the ways of others with interest, respect, and learning. Importantly, it is a must-have competency in our global marketplace.
GET TO KNOW YOURSELF BETTER
The cultural diversity of a college campus offers a trip around the world... if we're willing to reach out, learn, and embrace it. Take advantage of global diversity in your community. Observe and criticize yourself as you meet, interact with, and otherwise come into contact with persons from other cultures. Take notes on what you perceive as cultural differences and on your "first tendencies" in reacting to these differences. Assess what this suggests about your cultural intelligence. Make a list of what could be your strengths and weaknesses as a global manager. Write down personal reflections on your capacity to work well across cultural boundaries.