Cultural intelligence (CQ) in the Workplace

Daphne Magna

I'm Daphne Magna, the force behind Tough Convos. I'm not your typical management consultant—I'm all about crafting inclusive cultures and nurturing inclusive leaders through transformative content and experiences. Call me an educator, because my mission, both in life and in business, is centered around deepening our understanding of ourselves and each other, no matter where we're from. My journey began with a fiery family story—my Italian mom was kicked out for loving my St. Lucian dad. Growing up I lived and breathed many forms of racism, whether being called negre in France or being denied career opportunities for being too "ethnic". Those experiences ignited my lifelong quest to bridge divides through exposure, communication and empathy. I've since intentionally carved out a career that challenges the norms through curated content, education, activism and corporate responsibility. ​ At Tough Convos, we're on a multi-faceted mission. We focus deeply on building cultural intelligence, addressing diversity and inclusion, and honing communication skills that will help all of us live and work with more integrity and equity. ​ Tough Convos is the culmination of 20 years of work advocating for human rights, creating safe spaces for tough conversations, challenging ingrained biases and nurturing inclusive mindsets. My intention has always been to create a world where my son isn't afraid to talk to strangers, where differences spark innovation, and where freedoms to move, think, believe and grow are inalienable rights for everyone, everywhere.