What Factors of Cultural Intelligence Predict Transformational Leadership: A Study of International School Leaders

International schools are a microcosm of the globalization that is occurring throughout the world. Effective leadership is critical to ensure that schools are successful in accomplishing their missions. This study examines if there is a relationship between cultural intelligence and effective leadership, defined as transformational leadership, in international school leaders, and if so, what factor(s) of cultural intelligence best predicts transformational leadership in international school leaders. International school leaders received an online survey that included the Cultural Intelligence Scale and the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire 5X. Standard multiple regression analysis was used. The results indicate that there is a significant positive relationship between cultural intelligence and transformational leadership in international school leaders. The four factors of cultural intelligence significantly predict transformational leadership and all five factors of transformational leadership in international school leaders. Cultural intelligence should be an important consideration in the selection, training, and professional development of international school leaders, in integrating cultural intelligence into Higher Education curriculum, and in domestic educational contexts