Cultural Intelligence Why it matters and how it can help you be successful

Cultural Intelligence Cultural Intelligence (CQ) is “the ability and skill to interpret and function appropriately in diverse cultures” (Brannen, 2016; Fellows, et al., 2014) CQ includes the skill to identify, the ability to understand, the stimulus to learn, and the flexibility to adapt to cultural norms and respond appropriately (Ang, Van Dyne, & Koh, 2006). Today’s world requires leaders that can relate across cultures

Cultural Intelligence CQ Drive (Motivation) CQ Knowledge (Cognition) CQ Strategy (Metacognition CQ Action (Behavior) Earley & Ang, 2003 Ang, et al., 2007 Livermore, 2015

Activity- How Culturally Intelligent are you? Participants will take a few minutes to complete the CQ assessment Individuals will share results with partner Group sharing

Why Cultural Intelligence is important

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Slide 2 Do we need cultural intelligence? Photo Caption Globalization necessitates cultural intelligence College campuses are more diverse than ever Projections estimate larger numbers of diverse students in k-14

Educational Landscape As of 2011, 23.9% of K-12 enrollments are Latino (Fry & Lopez, 2012). Currently, 70% of the student body in community colleges are students of color (Campaign for College Opportunity, 2017).

Cultural Intelligence also… Contributes to communication and shared learning (Moua, 2010) Helps leaders to suspend judgement, pay attention to situations and distinguish between what is relevant information and what is not in making decisions. CQ leaders are also flexible and adaptable (Triandis, 2006). Helps leaders “develop an overall perspective and repertoire that results in more effective leadership” (Van Dyne, et al., 2010).

Principle Research

Historically…

Research on CQ and higher education is lacking… Stokes (2013) CQ and transformational leadership Naughton (2010) relationship between effective leadership and high levels of CQ in K-12 Nagao (2015) studied CC faculty and relationship between CQ and conflict management Other studies examined relationship between CQ and effective job performance of teachers and school leaders (Aldhaheri, 2016; Gohar, 2014; Keung 2011)

My Study

Latina Community College Leaders and the role Cultural Intelligence plays in their leadership (El Líderazgo Inteligente de Administradoras Latinas)

Purpose The purpose of this phenomenological study was to discover and describe the lived experiences of Latina community college administrators by utilizing the four elements of cultural intelligence (Motivation, Cognition, Metacognition, and Behavior) to provide leadership in their organizations.

Rationale for inquiry into CCC leadership

Three out of ten women attending community colleges are either African American or Latina, yet less than 10 percent serve as administrators on community college campuses

CCC Snapshot California Community Colleges serve over 2.1 million students CCC SYSTEM - 2016-2017 AGGREGATE RACE & GENDER  STUDENTS DATA 24% Female CCC SYSTEM - 2016-2017 AGGREGATE RACE & GENDER  STATE ACADEMIC SENATE DATA CCC SYSTEM - 2016-2017 AGGREGATE RACE & GENDER  SENIOR LEADERSHIP DATA 0 Females 10% Female

The Problem studied… Community colleges are primary point of entry for students of color, in particular Latinas (46%). Lack of diverse leadership in community colleges In fall of 2016, the California Community College Chancellor’s Office reported that only 209 out of the 1149 female educational administrators serving across the system were Latina. Culturally diverse organizations require leaders with specific interpersonal and problem solving skills inherent to cultural intelligence.

Research Question Research Question This study was guided by one central research question and five sub-questions. Central Question What are the lived experiences of Latina community college administrators in their leadership roles as they utilize the four elements of cultural intelligence?

Sub-questions Motivation (CQ Drive) - How do Latina community college administrators use self-efficacy to provide effective leadership? Cognition (CQ Knowledge) - How does prior experience with different cultures impact Latina community college administrators’ leadership? Metacognition (CQ Strategy) - How does cultural awareness impact Latina community college administrators’ leadership? Behavior (CQ Action) - How do Latina community college administrators adapt behaviorally to other cultures? Culturally Intelligent Leadership-How do Latina community college administrators perceive that the use of cultural intelligence has an impact on their ability to remain successful within their leadership careers?

Findings

Latina leaders in this study stressed the importance: 12 key findings were summarized as four conclusions, one for each Cultural Intelligence element. Latina leaders in this study stressed the importance: knowing your purpose remembering your personal story being empathetic honoring and respecting everyone asking questions learning from one another

Findings continued… becoming advocates of change helping to pave the way for others checking themselves regularly knowing your audience adapting accordingly practicing self-awareness remaining student-centered

Implications

Cultural Intelligence needs to be part of training in Leadership Programs as well as Professional Development Programs Develop Cultural Intelligence Training in Student Leadership Programs Opportunities for Latinas to form alliances is crucial CQ Latina leaders need mentoring opportunities

Lessons learned…

What I learned… Three Lessons Latina women are resilient Being an administrator doesn’t mean you have to compromise your most important values; values such as family, integrity, and personalismo (being personal) I learned that CQ also includes learning how to navigate and understand the organizational culture of the institution you work at

“As we see globalization’s effects in the world, we must reframe how to think about and include different stakeholders in our work. Who we involve matters. Who we ask to be part of the conversation matters. And, most importantly, how we engage them is critical” (Moua, 2010, p. 166).

Questions?

Thank You Dr. Patricia Avila pavila@mail.brandman.edu