Navigating Cultures: The Role of Metacognitive Cultural Intelligence

In this anecdote, the American manager failed to capitalize on what might have been a very lucrative business venture due simply to the fact that he was undereducated with regard to the cultural norms and customs governing the Malaysian lifestyle. So-called cultural blunders like the one described above occur more frequently than anyone would care to admit. Given the speed with which today’s organizational playground is becoming increasingly diverse and globalized, these cross-cultural interactions are not only here to stay, but may one day come to characterize the majority of business transactions that occur around the world. It is no surprise, then, that individuals adept at dealing effectively with these kinds of intercultural situations are extremely coveted by today’s organizations. Also high in demand is the psychological research aimed at identifying the specific blend of personality traits, experiential knowledge, and interpersonal skills that best characterize these unique, culturally intelligent individuals.