Today, we share five powerful resources to amplify your cultural intelligence (CQ), helping you lead inclusively in Cameroon and globally. As Friday unfolds in Cameroon, the unity of our diverse communities—from Bafoussam’s craft markets to Maroua’s storytelling circles—fuels our leadership wisdom. At Lead from the Heart, we’re wrapping up Week 2 of Wisdom – Leading with Cultural Intelligence, echoing Kwame Nkrumah’s truth: “Culture is not an ornament; it is the foundation of all human values.”
First, the CQ Journaling Framework is a free tool on our website.
Spend 10 minutes daily reflecting on cultural interactions. In Cameroon, note how communal values, like sharing koki in Bamenda, build trust. Globally, compare this to team-building in other cultures. Write: “Today, I noticed [cultural cue] and responded by [action].” This sharpens your CQ Knowledge and Strategy, as seen in our Vision Quest retreat (January 2026, Limbe, 85,000 CFA).
Second, read Decoding Cultural Intelligence by David Livermore, available in bookstores or online.
Livermore’s framework—Drive, Knowledge, Strategy, Action—offers practical tips for leaders. For Cameroonian executives, it’s a guide to balancing indirect feedback with global directness. Read a chapter weekly, then discuss insights with your team, much like palaver sessions in Douala.
Third, try Ubuntu Cards, a team-building tool rooted in African philosophy (order online or create your own).
Each card prompts a question, like “How do we support each other?” Use them in meetings to spark dialogue, as our Team Refresher retreat (250,000 CFA) does. Globally, this mirrors exercises at companies like Airbnb, fostering empathy across cultures. Host a 20-minute session to boost CQ Action.
Fourth, watch the TED Talk The Danger of a Single Story by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (free on YouTube).
Adichie’s insights on stereotypes resonate in Cameroon, where diverse ethnic narratives shape leadership. Globally, it’s a call to seek multiple perspectives. After watching, share one takeaway with a colleague—perhaps how assumptions affect your team—to enhance CQ Drive. Our Leadership Breakfast (June 7, 2025, Buea, 10,000 CFA) builds on such discussions.
Finally, join Cross-Cultural Peer Groups via LinkedIn or our Leadership Hub.
In Cameroon, these groups mimic village councils, sharing CQ tips like using pidgin for rapport. Globally, they connect you with leaders navigating similar challenges. Post a question weekly, like “How do you adapt to cultural norms?” to grow CQ Knowledge. Our retreats, like the Executive Retreat (1,000,000 CFA), foster similar networks.
These resources—journaling, reading, cards, videos, and groups—equip you to lead with CQ. Start with one, like Adichie’s TED Talk, and apply its lesson this week. In Cameroon’s dynamic culture and the world’s diverse markets, CQ drives inclusion and impact. Track your progress: Did a resource shift your approach? Share your story with us.
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©Silas Achu
