The concept of 'cultural intelligence' (CQ) has gained prominence in cross-cultural management research. Unlike emotional intelligence, which focuses on interpersonal skills within a familiar context, CQ specifically addresses the capability to function effectively across diverse cultural settings. Scholars argue that CQ comprises four distinct dimensions: metacognitive, cognitive, motivational, and behavioral. The metacognitive component involves conscious awareness during intercultural interactions, while the cognitive aspect refers to knowledge of norms and practices in different cultures. Motivational CQ reflects an individual's intrinsic interest and confidence in adapting to new cultural environments, and behavioral CQ entails the ability to exhibit appropriate verbal and nonverbal actions. Recent studies suggest that CQ can be enhanced through targeted training, and it predicts performance in multicultural teams better than general personality traits. However, critics caution that overemphasizing CQ may overlook structural and organizational factors that also influence cross-cultural effectiveness.