A famous example of cultural intelligence in action is the oft-cited anecdote about a Western expat manager who tried to improve the efficiency of project work in his company’s East Asian branch office. The hefty bonus he promised to the highest-performing member of every project group, regardless of seniority or status, didn’t work at all. Indeed, productivity seemed to drop further. After he’d overcome his frustration, it dawned on him where his skills had failed him.