In this podcast episode, I'm joined by Lucy Butters, a Master Facilitator with the Cultural Intelligence Centre, a CQ Fellow- an elite CQ certification, and the author of the recently published 'Cultural Intelligence in Practi

Lucy shares why adaptation and self-awareness matter as much as what you know. We talk about listening as a core leadership skill, how identity and culture shape who gets heard, and why silence, pace and the way we respond all carry meaning. Plus, why the rapid growth of AI makes Cultural Intelligence more important, not less.

Lucy Butters has been working to support organisations to be more inclusive and internationally effective since founding her training and coaching company Elembee Ltd in 2010. A CIPD qualified trainer, one of Lucy's passions is working with trainers and facilitators to develop and enhance their training CQ capability. Lucy lives in Glasgow with her husband and as parents of triplet sons, they are frequently reminded of the need to adjust thinking, actions and expectations.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• What Cultural Intelligence really means and how it differs from cultural awareness
• Why knowledge alone does not lead to effective cross-cultural working
• The four capabilities of Cultural Intelligence and how they work together as a core leadership skill
• Why listening is culturally shaped
• How communication styles, silence and pace affect understanding
• Why AI requires stronger human judgement and Cultural Intelligence
• How Cultural Intelligence supports leadership in times of uncertainty

If you want to deepen your understanding, Lucy's book offers practical insights from experts around the world.

Resources:

• Connect with Lucy Butters on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/lucybutters
• Visit Lucy Butters' website: https://lucybutters.com/
• Buy my book, Become a Global Leader:https://culturecuppa.com/book/
• Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, ideas, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson