Developing Cross-Cultural Intelligence

Course link: Interpersonal Skills with Cultural Knowledge & Intrapersonal Awareness (linkedin.com)

Final Exam

1. Which example best illustrates an internal locus of control?

A person is introverted and methodical.
A person is “being” oriented and believes in fate and luck.
A person is outgoing and optimistic.
A person is “doing” oriented and believes that fate is of little importance.

2. Your friend crosses in front of a red light, and a police officer notices. The officer stops to question you. Which statement is most likely true?

In a rules-based culture, the officer will treat you, your friend, and all other citizens uniquely.
In a rules-based culture, the officer will be flexible based on your friend’s circumstances.
In a relationship-based culture, your loyalty will be with your friend.
In a relationship-based culture, the officer will give your friend a ticket.

3. Which statement best describes the difference between high and low context cultures?

In a low context culture, people gesture more than in a high context culture.
In a high context culture, people tend to communicate with detailed messages. In a low context culture, messages are minimal and implicit.
In a high context culture, messages are communicated with fewer words and more nonverbals. In a low context culture, messages are communicated with explicit words.
In a high context culture, people tend to speak more softly than in a low context culture.

4. Assume you come from a monochronic, direct, and low-power distance culture. How could you best start reaching out to and securing a new vendor in a culture very different from your own?

Dive right in and start introducing yourself to new people.
Learn the timeline for the assignment and set realistic expectations, knowing that it may take longer to establish connections in this new culture.
Email your boss and say the assignment might be too hard.
Try to close the deal with the first vendor you meet.

5. What is the best definition of individual culture?

It is a culture were people place importance on relationships.
It is a culture where people prefer to be recognized individually and are more likely to make decisions on their own.
It is a culture that is likely to be a high context culture.
It is a culture where people make decisions as a group but are comfortable acting individually.

6. Which statement about risk in a culture is true?

Risk describes the degree to which people within a culture are comfortable with change, innovation, and not following the status quo.
Risk is related to the historical background of a country, and it is often restrained in cultures with a newer history and traditions.
Risk depends on the average age of a cultures’ working population. The older the population, the more comfortable they will be with risk.
Risk is related to the number of relationships built in the workplace, and it tends to be higher in Mediterranean cultures.

7. Which scenario best describes a monochronic workplace?

agendas, procedure manuals, and a free flowing meeting space
free flowing meetings and lots of open workspaces for collaboration
reminder emails, water cooler chats, and longer lunches
agendas, procedure manuals, and tight time management meetings throughout the day

8. Which choice best differentiates between a direct and indirect communicator?

Indirect communicators say no without hesitation and direct communicators generally have trouble saying no.
Direct communicators speak with conviction but are less likely to be succinct and to the point when compared with indirect communicators.
Direct communicators will hesitate to ask open ended questions. Indirect communicators are more likely to ask yes or no questions.
Direct communicators say what they mean and say it clearly. Indirect communicators may gather more information by asking questions and offer suggestions for consideration.

9. What is the definition of a high status culture?

In a high status culture, it is preferred that you send a direct email asking for a face-to-face meeting.
In a high status culture, a formal communication style is preferable and professional job titles matter.
In a high status culture, people refer to one another on a first name basis.
In a high status culture, junior-level professionals take the lead in meetings, and older, more experienced attendees are mere observers.