In a world where global teams work across borders, accents, and unspoken norms, many leaders still fall into the same trap: assuming everyone thinks, communicates, and reacts the way they do. The result? Misunderstandings, slowed collaboration, and teams that struggle to connect.
In this episode of Nathaniel Chapman sits down with Charmaine Reid, Leadership & Development Coach at Impel Talent, to explore one of the most important, yet often overlooked skills in today’s workplace: cultural intelligence.
Cultural intelligence (CQ) is the awareness that people from different backgrounds may interpret tone, trust, directness, humour, or feedback differently. And when leaders understand this, communication becomes clearer, relationships become stronger, and teams work together with far less conflict.
This episode shines a light on why CQ matters more than ever and how leaders can begin applying it in everyday interactions.
Key takeaways from this episode:
- How cultural differences shape the way people communicate
- Why understanding trust-building styles changes team dynamics
- The role of emotional intelligence alongside cultural intelligence
- How leaders can adapt their communication in global teams
Today’s workplace is deeply multicultural, even within a single team. People bring different histories, communication styles, and interpretations to the table. Without cultural intelligence, leaders risk misreading their teams, creating unnecessary tension, or unintentionally damaging trust.
But with CQ, leaders become better listeners, clearer communicators, and more effective at guiding people toward shared goals. It transforms everyday interactions and helps teams feel understood, not just managed.
To hear the full conversation and gain practical insights you can apply, listen to this week’s episode of Breaking the Chain here:
