Peer Review

Leading with Cultural Intelligence

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Reviewed:: Jan 10, 2022 by Business

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Ratings

Overall Rating:

Content Quality:

Effectiveness:

Ease of Use:

Overview:

Organizations in the 21st century need culturally intelligent managers and leaders. The pressure to build authentic global networks and to cultivate an appreciation and respect for cultural differences and similarities have driven cultural intelligence to the forefront of diversity and inclusion work. Preparing today's students to be effective leaders in their professional lives requires that they hone their cultural intelligence as it is vital to working inter- and intra-culturally in today’s global economy. This unique ability to identify, recognize, and acknowledge the differences and similarities that exist between and among cultural groups and systems will set their leadership skills apart from the masses. And when applied, cultural intelligence can bridge the gap in cultural misunderstanding by creating awareness, knowledge, and patience of cultural norms and behaviors. The purpose of Leading With Cultural Intelligence by Mia Moua is to outline the important ideas of cultural intelligence and the steps that must be considered and then practiced to become a culturally intelligent leader. The most important aspect covered within this book is that cultural intelligence is both a strategy and a tool towards cultural competency and proficiency. This book outlines the importance of understanding the culture and its impact on organizations, the strategic value of cultural intelligence, and the significance of integrating and practicing cultural intelligence in everyday business life. When all these aspects are properly integrated and applied in the leadership and management process, organizations are more innovative and adaptable to respond to cultural changes.

The focus in this e-book is on leadership and management, and the focus is to help readers apply cultural intelligence to any cultural situation. This is not an academic book, but it is based on Peter Drucker’s concept that we are in an “age of social transformation,” this requires us to reflect differently about how we resolve intercultural and social conflicts and the implications of our actions. A model of cultural intelligence based on research is presented.

Type of Material:

Open (Access) Textbook

Recommended Uses:

Even though the intent of this material was not an academic textbook, it can be used as one! The chapters are thorough that include summaries. Chapter 7 consists of case studies, which can be used in a classroom setting to stimulate discussion in-person or online. It can be a supplementary resource, as well. Companies can distribute to its employees as a resource in team and group workplace meetings.

Technical Requirements:

The MERLOT material can be accessed using a PC, MAC, iPAD, Apple, or Android phone. It can be viewed using Internet Explorer, Chrome, Microsoft Edge, or Safari.

Adobe Reader version 19.010.20098

Identify Major Learning Goals:

Able to explain the difference between managers and leaders
Understand what corporate culture is
Understand cultural intelligence

Target Student Population:

Upper-level undergraduate students either in business or in any programs with elements of leadership in the curriculum.
This is appropriate at the graduate level especially in leadership programs, and for faculty who teach in graduate programs.
This is recommended reading for professionals and organizations at all levels, but especially in leadership positions.

Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:

Users should have a foundational understanding of organizations and organizational culture, as well as a fundamental understanding of leadership and management.
Users should be able to use an Internet browser, search on a browser, and download a PDF document or read this book online.

Content Quality

Rating:

Strengths:

Focusing on culture and leadership, several studies are examined to illustrate the need to understand culture in leadership and management.
The different levels of culture are discussed and terms are defined
Cultural strategic thinking is examined
Includes 10 different case studies that illustrate different cultural situations.
The perspective of the author focuses on the need to create work environments to support an economy that also reflects global demographic changes. Some of these changes include increased immigration rates, stabilization of the workforce, and increasing global competition for goods and services.

Concerns:

None

Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool

Rating:

Strengths:

Book contains:

Distinct Chapter Topics
Definitions and Terminology
Case Studies
Chapter Summaries

This e-book covers the topic that is highly relevant yet discussed infrequently; the topic needs more attention because of the increasing levels of diversity, and for these reasons, it would be highly engaging in a classroom. In addition, the author is writing from a perspective of experience in cultural intelligence.

Concerns:

At times the font was somewhat hard to read.
Breaking up the text with more illustrations such as Table 1.1 would be helpful.

Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty

Rating:

Strengths:

The e-book is easy to read and understand
Written from a global change perspective and based on experiences.
PDF is easy to download

Concerns:

Needs to include more graphics or illustrations to break up the paragraphs.
The font is sometimes difficult to read so the user needs to enlarge the font to make it easier to read.
There is also frequent use of first-person pronouns; would recommend the third person.

Other Issues and Comments:

This is a very important topic that needs to be addressed in academia and in the workplace based on the changing demographics in many countries, including the USA.

Great material and applicable to the current concern relating to acknowledging the differences and similarities that exist between and among cultural groups and systems.

Leading with Cultural Intelligence by Mia Moua offers examples, case studies, and definitions that help the reader to understand the topic. Even though the material did not give specific cultural etiquettes and how to apply in different countries, it can be a takeaway for discussion and/or homework in a course or team/work group discussion.

Creative Commons: