The concept of 'cultural intelligence' (CQ) has gained prominence in organizational psychology as a framework for understanding cross-cultural effectiveness. Unlike emotional intelligence, which focuses on intrapersonal and interpersonal abilities within a familiar context, CQ specifically addresses the capability to function and manage effectively in culturally diverse settings. Researchers have identified four distinct dimensions of CQ: metacognitive (conscious awareness during intercultural interactions), cognitive (knowledge of norms and practices in different cultures), motivational (interest and confidence in adapting), and behavioral (ability to exhibit appropriate verbal and nonverbal actions). A growing body of empirical studies suggests that high CQ predicts better job performance, smoother adjustment, and enhanced collaboration in multinational teams, even after controlling for general cognitive ability and personality traits. However, critics caution that many CQ assessments rely on self-reporting, which may inflate scores due to social desirability bias. Future research is therefore urged to incorporate objective performance measures and longitudinal designs to validate CQ's predictive utility across diverse occupational contexts.