The Ultimate Intercultural Question Book - by Marco Blankenburgh (Paperback)

About the Book

Every good student knows that good learning comes ​from good questions. When working with people, ​knowing how to ask questions is the gateway to gaining ​true insight into individuals and engaging in effective, ​relationship-building conversations.

Asking good questions, in particular, allows us to delve ​beyond the surface and gain a genuine understanding ​of people and culture. In this book, you will discover more than 1,000+ ​questions to grow your connection ​and understanding of anyone from your colleague to ​your taxi driver.

"This unique book is a treasure trove of thought-provoking questions that spark intercultural dialogue. By encouraging self-reflection and empathy, it helps individuals and organizations thrive in our interconnected world."
- Omar Ayyash, President & CEO of World Trade Center Kentucky

"This book is a true gift for anyone navigating intercultural spaces. The power of thoughtful questions cannot be overstated - it not only invites others to share their stories but also guides us to look inward and reflect on our own worldviews. The author's lived experience shines through. This book will be among the permanent references on my desk."
- Rana Nejem, Founding Director of YARNU; The Art of Social Intelligence, Author of When in the Arab World

There's so much packed into this book, and in an impressively easy to use way relevant to anyone wanting to increase their cross-cultural understanding or abilities. This book is not just a conversation starter but a bridge-builder to enhance intercultural discernment, appreciation, and know-how, as well as self-awareness. The Ultimate Intercultural Question Book, its approach, and the questions it equips us with, are powerful tools in the effort to create empathetic connection and meaningful interaction in an ever-globalizing world.
- Christopher O'Shaughnessy, International Speaker and Author of Arrivals, Departures and the Adventures In-Between

Book Synopsis

"This unique book is a treasure trove of thought-provoking questions that spark intercultural dialogue. By encouraging self-reflection and empathy, it helps individuals and organizations thrive in our interconnected world."
- Omar Ayyash, President & CEO of World Trade Center Kentucky

"This book is a true gift for anyone navigating intercultural spaces. The power of thoughtful questions cannot be overstated - it not only invites others to share their stories but also guides us to look inward and reflect on our own worldviews. The author's lived experience shines through. This book will be among the permanent references on my desk."
- Rana Nejem, Founding Director of YARNU; The Art of Social Intelligence, Author of When in the Arab World

There's so much packed into The Ultimate Intercultural Question Book, and in an impressively easy to use way. Broken down into an expansive collection of topics relevant to anyone wanting to increase their cross-cultural understanding or abilities, this book is not just a conversation starter but a bridge-builder to enhance intercultural discernment, appreciation, and know-how, as well as self-awareness. The Ultimate Intercultural Question Book, its approach, and the questions it equips us with, are powerful tools in the effort to create empathetic connection and meaningful interaction in an ever-globalizing world.
- Christopher O'Shaughnessy, International Speaker and Author of Arrivals, Departures and the Adventures In-Between

The best learning comes from the best questions. When connecting with people, knowing how to ask questions is the gateway to gaining true insight into individuals and engaging in effective, relationship-building conversations.

Asking good questions, in particular, allows us to delve beyond the surface and gain a genuine understanding of people and culture.

Get equipped with practical tools to have powerful intercultural conversations going deeper than the usual, "What's your culture like?" With 60+ stories of successful and not-so-successful intercultural interactions, you can learn from others' experiences.

Ultimately, you will have over 1,000 intercultural questions to grow your connection and understanding of anyone from your colleague to your taxi driver.

Review Quotes

"This unique book is a treasure trove of thought-provoking questions that spark intercultural dialogue. By encouraging self-reflection and empathy, it helps individuals and organizations thrive in our interconnected world."
- Omar Ayyash, President & CEO of World Trade Center Kentucky

"This book is a database for posing the right questions, to relevant people, in precise times, to self-reflect and assess cultural agility, using 30+ interactive topics. A much-needed tool to enhance our never-ending journey of intercultural learning. Well done Marco and Knowledgeworkx team in putting this treasure together!"
- Dr. Michael G. Bassous, Institute for Leadership Development Director and Author of Leadership ... in Crisis

"Few people have the depth of experience Marco does. He brings all his years of working in the multicultural space to bear in creating this practical and impactful guide. An essential toolkit to navigate cultural diversity from the expert in his field."
- Andy Fieldhouse, Team Relationship & Dynamics Coach, Author of Getting Teamwork Right

"Since humility and curiosity are keys to navigating cultural adventures, questions are core tools to unlocking the mysteries. This book is an invaluable resource to get those questions flowing. Don't miss this book, and all the other tools Marco has created. He is a master culture navigator."
- Curt Laird, CEO of reFrontier and Author of The Culture Key

"Based on the understanding that culture is individually formed and possessed, the author points out that cultural knowledge is not sufficient for effective communication across cultures. It is rather through purposeful questioning that one can master intercultural communication. Hence, the author has put together an extensive list of questions to help you develop intercultural agility and navigate challenging intercultural situations with confidence. A Must-Read for people who embrace diversity and inclusion."
- Dr. Sara Nazari PhD

About the Author

Marco is a true international citizen. Originally from the Netherlands, his fascination with global work and culture has led him to work in over 70 countries. Realizing that international workers needed to be better equipped with intercultural intelligence led him to start KnowledgeWorkx in 2001.
As International Director of KnowledgeWorkx, Marco created the Inter-Cultural Intelligence (ICI) methodology for people development. In a world that needs more human connection, he is passionate about equipping people and organizations with the tools they need to enhance relational success with people around them.

Marco brings 28 years of intercultural work experience into everything he does - as a skilled facilitator and coach, he uses the KnowledgeWorkx ICI methodology to equip people with intercultural agility, giving them the best chance of not only succeeding but thriving in our increasingly global world.

By volunteering for not-for-profit organizations, he assists with the development of intercultural agility for their organizations and people.

Marco lives with his family in the UAE. He is interculturally married and has the privilege of raising four 'Third Culture Kids'.