The Concept

In Dutch educational theory a competence is an integral combination of knowledge, skills and attitudes. Approximately ten competences define a specific job. Cultural competence is then a set of knowledge, skills and attitudes and their interaction in relation to culture. At first glance it resembles the idea of Cultural Intelligence or CQ of Thomas and Inkson, an integral combination of knowledge, behavioural skills (instead of skills) and mindfulness (just one of the range of necessary attitudes).

The interrelationship of the three elements is manifold but may be summarised as follows. Knowledge works through skills, and attitudes enable successful implementation; experience then feeds into knowledge again and different circumstances shed new light on lessons learnt earlier. Preparations for dealing with another culture become over time more effective and efficient.

The concept of cultural competence is more like a helicopter view than the tricks-of-the-trade of intercultural or cross-cultural communication. It does not offer any standard solution but enables you to find a proper solution in every situation in which culture appears to be a stumbling block. Many authors have drafted lists of points of attention for dealing with cultural differences and internet contains dozens of them (with different qualities of course). The point is that you may them learn by heart but to apply them on the spot is quite a different thing. Furthermore, what works for the one, does not work for the other; do not bluff if you do not have a poker face.