Most of us have sat through an inclusion training program that didn't change much—maybe a workshop, a follow-up email, and then it's back to normal. But what happens when an organization moves past the standard checkboxes and actually puts Cultural Intelligence (CQ) to work?

In this special LinkedIn Live episode of Truth, Lies & Work, we dive deep into the framework of CQ—an evidence-based, academically validated skill that measures your ability to relate to and work effectively alongside people from different cultural backgrounds.

We look at a remarkable real-world case study at Barts Health NHS Trust. By training thousands of staff members across their workforce, they achieved measurable improvements in staff engagement, team dynamics, and patient care in one of the most pressurized environments imaginable. Following the structural approach seen in our Show notes example, this episode breaks down how leaders of any size organization can use CQ to reduce toxic conflict, improve retention, and build a workplace where everyone belongs.

🔥 Key Takeaways From This Episode

What CQ Actually Is (and Isn't): Cultural Intelligence is not a rigid rulebook on how to behave, nor is it just basic cultural awareness. It is a distinct, measurable capability divided into four core pillars: Drive, Knowledge, Strategy, and Action.
The 10 Behavioral Preferences: Workplace misunderstandings often stem from deep-seated preferences rather than malice. We explore dimensions like expressive vs. non-expressive communication styles and how mapping these helps teams collaborate seamlessly.
The Real Cost of Poor Culture: High employee turnover, costly legal tribunals, and skyrocketing absenteeism aren't just HR headaches—they are massive financial drains. From tribunal payouts to bank and agency staff costs, investing in culture is always the more cost-effective option.
Baking CQ into the Employee Lifecycle: To prevent training momentum from fading into the background, leaders must systematically embed it into operational processes—from recruitment checklists to pre-disciplinary reviews.
The Hybrid & AI Twist: Why distributed hybrid environments and the rise of cognitive offloading to AI make human-to-human cultural intelligence more critical today than ever before.

👥 Meet Our Guests

Polly Collingridge

Polly is the UK General Manager at the Cultural Intelligence Centre. As a CQ-certified facilitator with a rich background in global mobility, intercultural training, and employee well-being, she has been partnering with organizations since 2022 to build sustainable, long-term cultural frameworks.

Connect with Polly on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/pollycollingridge

Cultural Intelligence Centre UK LinkedIn: ⁠linkedin.com/company/cultural-intelligence-centre-uk⁠

Bernadette Thompson OBE

Bernadette is the Director of People and Culture at North Middlesex University Hospital and Community Services, and an associate facilitator at the Cultural Intelligence Centre. She spearheaded the operational rollout of CQ at Barts Health and has spent her award-winning career figuring out exactly what it takes to make people truly belong at work.

Bernadette Thompson OBE Website: bernadettethompsonobe.co.uk
Bernadette Thompson LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/bernadettethompson

📬 Connect with Al & Leanne

– LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/truthlieswork – Al Elliott: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thisisalelliott – Leanne Elliott: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meetleanne – Email: hello@truthliesandwork.com – Book a call: https://savvycal.com/meetleanne/chat

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