Emotional intelligence (EI) refers to recognition and effective management of one’s own emotions as well as others. The 4 domains of EI competencies are: self-awareness, self-regulation, social awareness, and relationship management. Scholars in organizational leadership and behaviors have argued that these competencies greatly impact effectiveness and success of leaders and constitute the difference between good and great leaders. More recently, EI experts argue that cultural intelligence (CI) is similar to EI in many respects but may represent a more advanced set of skills than EI and integral to leadership skills in a multicultural world. Health professions educators frequently practice in diverse settings. For example, educators often design curricula and teach learners from multiple learning or societal cultures, clinicians provide healthcare for patients from many socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds and leaders interact with team members representing a variety of professional and sociocultural perspectives. Using video clips, mini-didactic presentations and reflective exercises, we will review core attributes of EI and CI; allow participants to reflect on calibrate the gaps in their own toolkit; formulate strategies to enhance their competencies in culturally intelligence; discuss common challenges that leaders face; and share potential solutions. Finally, leadership will have a major role in transforming the cultural intelligence of the entire organization.

By the end of this Focus Session, participants will be able to:
1. Gain knowledge regarding the core attributes of EI
2. Apply EI competencies to enhance own leadership practice
3. Analyze the intersection of emotional and cultural intelligence
4. Discuss strategies to advance as culturally intelligent leaders