Cultural Intelligence: A Guide to Working with People from Other Cultures

Excellent book for expats. I am currently working in a international school and found the material relevant in my setting as well as helpful. The author gives ample illustrations to help the reader understand the subtle differences in each of our cultures. An easy and enjoyable read. Well done!

provided good examples of pitfalls and best practices in working with people from different cultures

Timely delivery and in perfect condition.

Cultural issues are not a new topic, but this book is so well written that it quickly becomes an interesting read and valuable learning tool for almost all of us, because of the world we live in, now and in the future. The author begins by explaining the importance of cultural intelligence for many of our business and personal interactions (with people from other ethnic groups at home and around the world), then listing what to expect (how the book is organized and why), and finally presenting a wealth of information about the topic (with vivid examples of how to apply it to our daily lives). Those examples are a clear indication that the author has accumulated his knowledge through wide reading, a variety of teaching contexts, and comprehensive practical experience in the field. The book identifies common cross-cultural dilemmas and offers practical solutions by outlining primary principles as a foundation for decision-making and describing how individual differences must be considered. The use of continuums throughout the book, and in the tool The Peterson Cultural Style Indicator, ensures that the reader understands and effectively uses the concept of Gray, versus Black and White, in human relationships. A good summary is the equation presented of Cultural Intelligence: Knowledge about Cultures + Awareness (of self and others) + Specific Skills (behaviors).

Imagine a guidebook that helps you navigate the uncharted lands of strange cultures or, at least, cultures that seem strange to you. Author Brooks Peterson is less concerned with social advice than he is with explaining how to manage broad cultural differences and avoid cultural egocentrism. While he soundly reviews measures of cultural differences, such as cultural scales, he avoids delving into complex, abstract theories with little practical application. His clearly written book treats all cultures objectively, covering broad tendencies without venturing into cultural generalities. He alerts you to the nuances of other cultures and your own. We strongly recommend this book to anyone who interacts with the values of other cultures on a regular basis - and, these days, that's just about everybody.