Beacon Star Global - Cultural Intelligence Micro-Credentials

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Micro-Credentials & Assessment

Foundational Micro-credential

CoreCQ

The foundational 3-hour micro-credential building essential cultural intelligence. Participants explore the four dimensions of CQ, discover their personal CQ profile, and develop practical strategies for cross-cultural effectiveness in education, work, and life.

Endorsed by Professor David Livermore, global authority on Cultural Intelligence. Certificate of completion included.

3 Hours

Self-Paced

Certificate

Interactive

Course Overview

CoreCQ is a self-paced online micro-credential for anyone wanting to strengthen their cultural intelligence. The 3-hour program introduces the four dimensions of CQ (cognitive, metacognitive, motivational, and behavioural) developed by Professor David Livermore, PhD, and endorsed internationally as the evidence-based framework for cross-cultural effectiveness.

Participants complete their own CQ self-assessment, explore key case studies across education and business contexts, and develop personal action plans for improving their CQ in different cultural settings. The course is interactive, welcoming, and designed for anyone new to cultural intelligence, from high school students through to experienced professionals.

Upon completion, learners receive a digital micro-credential certificate verified by the platform and endorsed by Tim Barrett, CQ Fellow. This certificate is portable and shareable, demonstrating achievement in developing cultural intelligence.

Course Modules

Preparing for the Future Discovering CQ CQ Cognitive CQ Metacognitive CQ Motivational CQ Behavioural Your CQ Profile CQ in Action Your Next Steps

Who is CoreCQ For?

CoreCQ is ideal for secondary students preparing for international exchanges or university study, university students on international programs or collaborative projects, professionals building global careers or working in multicultural teams, educators embedding cultural intelligence into curriculum, and anyone seeking to strengthen their cross-cultural capabilities.

Implementation

Student Pathways Exchange Preparation School Curriculum Professional Development International Programs International Baccalaureate Australian Curriculum OECD Global Competence

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Advanced Micro-credential

CoreCQ+

The comprehensive 7-hour program building on everything in CoreCQ with extended workplace and leadership scenarios, deeper cross-cultural case studies, and advanced modules on communication, behaviour adaptation, and intercultural strategy.

Endorsed by Professor David Livermore, global authority on Cultural Intelligence. Certificate of completion included.

7 Hours

Leadership Focus

Endorsed Certificate

Case Studies

Workplace Scenarios

Behaviour Adaptation

Communication Strategy

Everything in CoreCQ, Plus

CoreCQ+ is designed for senior students, university and college learners, and professionals already in the workforce who want to deepen their cultural intelligence beyond the foundational level. The extended 7-hour program builds on every module in CoreCQ with richer content, more complex scenarios, and advanced modules that prepare participants for real intercultural leadership.

Participants engage with extended workplace and leadership scenarios that mirror real organisational challenges, from managing multicultural project teams to navigating cross-border communication breakdowns. The program includes deeper cross-cultural case studies drawn from education, business, and community contexts, along with advanced modules on behaviour adaptation and intercultural communication strategies.

The course goes beyond awareness-building to develop practical leadership capabilities: reading cultural cues in high-stakes meetings, adapting management styles across different cultural contexts, and building trust within diverse teams. The micro-credential certificate is endorsed by Professor David Livermore, PhD.

Course Modules

Preparing for the Future Discovering CQ CQ Drive CQ Knowledge Cultural Values CQ Strategy CQ Action: Behaviour CQ Action: Communication CQ Next Steps

Who is CoreCQ+ For?

CoreCQ+ is ideal for organisations embedding cultural intelligence into professional development, schools running international or exchange programs, universities seeking a credited micro-credential for students, and HR teams building inclusive onboarding or leadership pipelines. It works as a standalone program or as pre-learning before a facilitated CQ workshop.

Implementation

International Programs Onboarding Workshop Pre-Learning Curriculum Enhancement Learner Portfolio

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Assessment Tool

PRISM Workstyle Profile

A research-based work style assessment developed by David Livermore, PhD. PRISM Workstyle Profile examines how socialisation forces shape workplace behaviour across five dimensions, measuring actual workstyles rather than aspirational views. Validated with diverse work groups globally.

PRISM TeamWORK curriculum resources are available for programme participants.

5 Dimensions

Teams

Self-Awareness

15 Minutes

Facilitated Debrief

Five Work Style Dimensions

Power

Flat vs. Top-Down leadership and decision-making

Risk

Risk-Tolerant vs. Risk-Averse approaches

Identity

Individual vs. Collective orientation

Speed

Fast-Paced vs. Methodical work tempo

Messaging

Direct vs. Indirect communication style

How PRISM Workstyle Profile Works

Unlike personality assessments that categorise individuals into fixed types, PRISM measures the socialisation forces that shape how you actually behave at work rather than how you aspire to behave. Each person receives a profile across the five dimensions, revealing their natural tendencies and the cultural influences behind them. This makes PRISM Workstyle Profile uniquely suited to diverse teams where members may have very different culturally shaped approaches to power, risk, identity, speed, and communication.

The assessment is completed online and takes approximately 15 minutes. Results are delivered through a facilitated debrief session where team members compare their profiles, surface hidden assumptions, and develop shared norms for collaboration. Individual reports include detailed breakdowns across all five dimensions with practical strategies for flexing your style when working with colleagues whose profiles differ from your own.

Who is PRISM Workstyle Profile For?

PRISM Workstyle Profile gives teams a shared language for understanding how they collaborate. It is ideal for student teams improving group projects and leadership programs, staff collaboration to strengthen department dynamics and communication, and leadership development to build self-awareness and inclusive team cultures. Schools use PRISM Workstyle Profile to help students develop TeamWORK skills before international exchanges or collaborative projects. Organisations use it to onboard new team members, resolve friction in cross-functional teams, and build culturally intelligent leadership pipelines.

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Tim Barrett

Founder, Beacon Star Global. CQ Fellow (Lifetime), GAICD. Conference speaker and CoreCQ creator.

CQ FellowGAICDSpeakerCoreCQ Creator

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About

Tim Barrett is an educator with over two decades of experience in strategic leadership across schools and in partnership with universities and organisations. His work centres on building collaborative cultures and embedding research-informed practices that deliver measurable impact.

Tim's experience includes establishing and overseeing a research institute, staff capacity building, establishing an extensive global partnership network of schools, universities and industry, consultancy, and cultural intelligence testing and training. Under his leadership, the team's work across the globe received multiple accolades, including Best Co-Curricular Program and Secondary School of the Year (Non-Government) at the Australian Education Awards.

Tim is passionate about Cultural Intelligence (CQ), the evidence-based capability to relate and work effectively across culturally diverse settings. Through CoreCQ and the PRISM Workstyle Profile, he supports schools, universities, and organisations to develop their ability to work with anyone, anywhere. In 2023, Tim was honoured as a lifetime member of the Society of CQ Fellows.

Tim has been a regular presenter at conferences, including the Australian Council for Educational Leaders (ACEL), the Association of Heads of Independent Schools of Australia (AHISA), Anglican Schools Australia (ASA), and the Global Education Summit. Tim's work has been published in research papers, and he has appeared on numerous podcasts.

Tim holds qualifications in Education, Theology, and Governance (GAICD), as well as advanced training in cultural intelligence.

Services

Consultancy & Workshops

Tailored programs to embed cultural intelligence into your school, organisation, or leadership team.

CQ Workshops for Schools

Tailored, interactive workshops for staff and students building cultural intelligence. Includes CoreCQ and CoreCQ+ micro-credential programmes, participant workbooks, self-assessment tools, and curriculum materials available through the member resource portal.

PRISM Workstyle Profile & TeamWORK

Research-based work style assessment across five dimensions, with facilitated team debrief sessions. Includes PRISM TeamWORK curriculum resources: team profile templates, facilitator guides, and communication worksheets, all available through the member resource portal.

Leadership Consulting

Personalised consulting to embed cultural intelligence into leadership practice and organisational strategy. Covers CQ assessment, team profiling, programme design for international experiences, and ongoing coaching for leaders navigating cross-cultural environments.

Keynote Speaking

Engaging presentations on cultural intelligence, global education, and inclusive leadership for conferences and professional development days. Topics include CQ in schools, leading diverse teams, designing service learning programmes, and building culturally intelligent organisations.

Work with and Relate to Anyone, Anywhere.