Intercultural Intelligence & Leadership
Our education services are designed to foster growth and leadership through cross-cultural understanding.
We bridge cultural knowledge with research-based learning experiences to enhance Intercultural Intelligence (ICI), equipping partners with practical tools and skills to navigate diverse environments, communicate effectively and foster meaningful connections.
Explore the frameworks we utilize for building ICI below.
Cultural Intelligence (CQ®)
Cultural Intelligence (CQ®) is a proven framework developed by the Cultural Intelligence Center that helps people move beyond cultural awareness, into practical, actionable skills.
Unlike most cultural compentency programs, CQ® takes a different approach to understanding and navigating cultural differences in the workplace.
Four Capabilities of CQ®
Based on more than twenty years of research across more than 100 countries, we know that there are four capabilities that need to be developed in order to relate and work effectively with people from different backgrounds — Drive, Knowledge, Strategy and Action.
1. CQ® Drive
The internal curiosity and motivation to work well with others.
CQ® Drive Competencies
Drive is considered the starting point of the framework because, without the desire to engage, cultural knowledge is often underutilized.
Intrinsic Interest: Deriving personal satisfaction from experiencing new cultures.
Extrinsic Interest: Gaining tangible benefits (e.g., career advancement) from cross-cultural work.
Self-Efficacy: The confidence that one can successfully navigate the stresses and conflicts of a diverse environment.
2. CQ® Knowledge
Your understanding of how cultures are similar or different.
CQ® Knowledge Competencies
The Knowledge capability focuses on the underlying systems and values that shape behavior rather than just memorizing a list of “do’s and don’ts”.
Business/Socio-legal Systems: Knowledge of how different societies organize their economic and legal structures.
Values & Norms: Understanding cultural dimensions like individualism vs. collectivism or high-context vs. low-context communication.
Leadership Styles: Recognizing how different cultures perceive authority and decision-making.
3. CQ® Strategy
Learning how to plan effectively in light of cultural differences.
CQ® Strategy Competencies
Strategy involves the ability to plan for, monitor, and make sense of culturally diverse experiences as they happen. It prevents the misuse of cultural stereotypes by allowing for real-time adjustments.
Planning: Anticipating how to approach a specific intercultural meeting or project.
Awareness: Being conscious of one’s own assumptions and the perspectives of others during an interaction.
Checking: Evaluating whether your cultural expectations were correct and revising your strategy if they were not.
4. CQ® Action
Being able to adapt behavior when the situation requires it.
CQ® Action Competencies
Action requires a flexible repertoire of responses while ensuring you still “remain true to yourself”.
Verbal Adaptation: Adjusting tone, volume, and rate of speech to match local expectations.
Non-Verbal Adaptation: Modifying gestures, facial expressions, and physical distance (proxemics).
Speech Acts: Choosing the specific words or phrases that best convey intended respect or authority within a specific culture.
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People is a widely known development framework created by Stephen R. Covey. It teaches that effectiveness comes from building strong habits and focuses on building character, prioritizing what matters, improving effectiveness and working collaboratively — leading to both personal and team success.
The 7 Habits
Stephen R. Covey presents seven habits that build progressively from personal mastery to interpersonal effectiveness and continuous self-improvement.
1. Be Proactive
Take responsibility for your actions and focus on what you can control.
2. Begin with the End in Mind
3. Put First Things First
Prioritize what matters most, not just what feels urgent.
4. Think Win-Win
5. Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood
6. Synergize
7. Sharpen the Saw
Work with Alianzas to Boost Your ICI
Our team is certified to provide the CQ® framework and licensed to facilitate the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People in Spanish.
Let Alianzas help you grow your skills to strengthen communication and leadership within Latino communities.
