Cultural Intelligence: Coexistence with the Other

Major cities in many countries of the world have become multicultural cities, due to the large number of nationalities and races of their inhabitants, so you find colleagues of different nationalities, colors and languages in the labor institution. They gathered in one work environment, each with its own goals, or the reasons for its existence, but they share a general goal, which is the success of the work organization. Modern means of communication also have a great impact on the convergence of the peoples of the world, and their interaction with each other, in a hypothetical way that simulates reality.

Hence the concept of cultural intelligence, and it has become a requirement, employers seek to provide its skills to workers in their companies and institutions, especially those across continents. Understanding the other and absorbing the culture from which he came is one of the basics of dealing in contemporary life. Where mutual understanding and dealing on its basis is one of the necessary mechanisms for coexistence, acceptance, alleviation of conflict and competition on a cultural or ethnic basis. Culture has a broad, comprehensive and multidimensional concept that touches on various aspects of life. It includes a set of values, symbols, expressions, creativity and aspirations, which a certain human group retains its civilizational identity in the framework of its development with its internal interactions, communication, give and give (Lee, et al., 2010).

Cultural awareness is therefore needed to understand and appreciate the values and behavioral norms of other individuals. Interest in studying the impact of cultural factors on intelligence is due to the beginnings of anthropology. The cultural approach to the study of intelligence and mental abilities within the framework of psychology arose as the opposite direction to the biological trend. The prevailing cultural trend assumes that intelligence is a social component determined in the light of the culture of society. This culture determines the forms of behavior that can

Cultural intelligence is a multidimensional concept, encompassing metacognition1 components, and cognitive, motivational, and behavioral components. Cultural intelligence expresses an individual’s ability to adapt and adapt effectively to the new cultures surrounding them. Ramalu et al. (Ramalu et al., 2011) have therefore pointed out that individuals with high cultural intelligence show greater ability when making judgments and decisions in different situations, and adapt well to the new cultural environment in all the work they do. Thus, it can be said that there is a link between cultural intelligence and cultural adaptation, as cultural intelligence refers to the ability of the individual to adapt effectively in situations characterized by cultural diversity (Ang et al., 2007). Cultural adaptation includes the ability to interact and participate with other heterogeneous culture at all levels so that the person fits and corresponds to this heterogeneous culture.

There was a need to identify cultural intelligence and benefit from its skills in several areas, the most important of which are work environments. That’s when it was noticed that multinationals attract the best minds from different nationalities and cultural and social backgrounds, expect the best creative ideas to increase their products, and the most appropriate innovative solutions to the challenges they face, but the results are contrary to expectations. This is because of the lack of healthy coexistence between employees and workers from different cultures, resulting from a lack of mutual understanding among them, and their focus on differences, rather than looking at the human common among them. Hence the importance of cultural intelligence as a necessary skill for acquisition, and it must be characterized by businessmen and employees in these companies, especially with the spread of electronic commerce.

Cultural intelligence is the highest degree of cultural perception, which makes a person more able to know the customs, traditions, values and beliefs of different nationalities and ethnic and religious groups, and to deal with them intelligently and effectively. Having extensive knowledge of these aspects reflects how motivated and inclined a person is to resist cultural barriers, and confidence in their ability to communicate with people from different cultures. Acquiring cultural intelligence skills is also an important feature of the diplomatic service, because they represent their countries in different cultures and societies, and seek friendships and bring views closer together.

Students on scholarships to study in foreign countries need to acquire, use and develop cultural intelligence skills, perhaps more than others. In addition to the pressures they face to study and learn a foreign language, and then specialize for a degree, they are required to know and understand the culture in which they live. For example, students studying in some foreign countries face problems related to their inability to understand the contents of some common words, their meanings and connotations, and verbal and non-verbal behavioral embedding, which makes them feel a state of turmoil that contributes to shaping their perceptions of the world around them. Culture has the ability to control and influence the student's perceptions, so the expatriate student must understand all the gestures and patterns of speech and behavior that he may face in the new cultural and social environment, and make an effort to live with it, in order to achieve the goals for which a delegation to this country, and return to his country with science and knowledge, and the breadth

Cultural intelligence can be seen as a mental-cognitive system, consisting of three elements; cultural knowledge, intercultural and transcultural skills, and acquiring cultural intelligence skills, by training oneself in certain habits related to social skills, mental and behavioral flexibility, and emotional participation. There are some ways to help a person develop their cultural intelligence skills, including the following:

- The person should be curious and concerned about learning about other cultures, and this can be by looking at other cultures through various and multiple channels such as newspapers, movies, books and social networks.

- Develop neutral self-awareness regarding prejudice against others, in the sense that your mind has a clean record, so that you can deal objectively with the different other.

- Adaptability and flexibility to change behaviors based on different cultural requirements.

- Develop and increase social skills, by enjoying talking and interacting with people from other cultures.

- Consider the successful and unsuccessful interaction mechanisms you have done, work to develop successful interactions, and reduce unsuccessful, and unhelpful behaviors and reactions.

- Tolerance and emotional participation, and understanding the views and feelings of others, by imagining yourself in the situations of people from different cultures.

- Attending courses and workshops on developing cultural intelligence skills, looking for volunteering opportunities with members of a foreign culture, as well as traveling to another country.

- Observe the behaviors of others and ask questions in ways that are appropriate for the other party, in a timely manner, as well as the ability to analyze situations and reflect on your own behavior, and your reactions.

In fact, we all need such skills, as noted at the beginning of the article, major cities in many countries have become multicultural and multi-ethnic, and we deal daily with people who are different from us in language, customs and traditions, and we all seek positive and constructive coexistence.