Jennifer James

Cultural Intelligence:

Telling The New Story

Technology concentrates energy – it makes the difference between a steam engine and a microchip. Progress is the concentration of energy. International communications technology has literally changed who we are by concentrating human energy as never before. This knowledge based commerce and contact has changed economics (the efficient use of available energy), demographics (who we work with and meet with) and ultimately culture (the stories we tell ourselves about the way things should be). There is, in all human adaptation processes, both a demographic lag (who will we work with) and a cultural lag (what stories are we willing to change).

Cultural intelligence is the ability to recognize cultural myths, our own and those of others, and replace them with current realities. Cultural intelligence is the ability to “unpack” the stories we have been told about who we are and what we do, examine them and replace them with new information. Leaders need to understand the balance between what technology can do and what human culture can accommodate.

The Human Face of Technological Change

We are all becoming “cyborgs,” part technician and part human consciousness. The knowledge worker, the portfolio professional, has different skills and a different character than any previous worker class. Our current leadership assignment is nothing less than the re-making of our traditional workers and our organizations into more civilized and productive cyber forms.

We can teach the mind and body to adapt but it is a tough assignment. The key is the ability to think in new ways. We need to understand what our life and our business is now about and what our organization’s place in the global market is likely to be.

How To Change: How To Take Risks

We are changing faster than any other generation of Americans. The changes are both deep and broad. Technology drives the speed of this change, economics creates the breadth and cultural shifts provide the depth. Each of us will be asked to think in new ways, to work in new ways and to feel in new ways. Yet we resist, the body and mind automatically resist significant changes.

This session will outline the sources and direction of technological, economic and cultural change. You will have a chance to evaluate your own flexibility and response time. You will learn the steps in the process of change and skills for building a 21st century mind and character.

Thinking In The Future Tense

Every major system in America is in the process of a major shift. Major industries, in particular telecommunications, were hit first and healthcare soon followed. The political, legal and academic systems are facing the same “rightsizing.” Leadership in this new era requires the ability to think in new ways. Management requires the skill of thinking about thinking, knowing how you think and operate. This seminar will provide experience in eight thinking skills:

– Perspective (seeing with new eyes)
– Awareness of Patterns (recognizing the future)
– Critical Thinking (understanding the social context)
– Response Time (the ability to change and help others change)
– Context (understanding the past to know the future)
– Effectiveness (doing more with less)
– New Forms of Intelligence (using the rest of your brain)
– Diversity I.Q. (profiting from diversity)

Understanding and Managing Cultural Diversity

We are facing intense cultural shifts and a rapidly changing workforce and client base. In a customer-driven, global marketplace, a competent, innovative and diverse workforce is the determining factor in a company’s future success.
The best place to look for advice on managing diversity is inside of yourself within your community’s history. This presentation provides an anthropological perspective on change and the framework for evaluating, motivating and educating yourself so you can benefit from the creativity and intelligence of our multi-cultural society.

Testimonials

“Outstanding, mind stretching, humorous. Margaret Mead has reincarnated, and she cares about American business.”
– Alene Morris, Executive Outplacement

“Jennifer James takes a refreshing new view of leadership. Understanding her perspective of our past, present, and future is necessary for any agent of change to be effective.”
– Todd Clist, Executive Vice President, Mariott Corp.

“You received rave reviews! Personally, I always enjoy your provocation and your passion.”
– Peg Anderson, Colorado Association of School Executives