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Michigan Business Beat | Welcoming Fathy Shetiah and ‘It’s a People Problem’ An Upcoming Mini-Series

January 20, 2026

Michigan Business Beat

Chris Holman welcomes back Fathy Shetiah, Founder, President & CEO, 7C Lingo, Lansing, MI. This interview is both a Michigan Business Beat, and will double as the opening segment to the inaugural episode of Fathy’s upcoming MBN miniseries ‘It’s A People Problem’.

Watch Fathy and Chris discuss the launching of a mini-series on Cultural Intelligence and why CQ matters in 2026 in the YouTube video shared below:

Chris had several more questions for Fathy to lead into these topics for this “welcome to the network” discussion.

He’s returned this time because he’s recording a two parter, … two segments welcoming him to MBN as a Mini-Series Show Host for ‘It’s A People Problem.’

Inaugural episode: Segment 1 of ‘It’s A People Problem’. Chris interviews.

This video is the Segment 1 for both Michigan Business Beat and his mini-series.

Welcome, Fathy. We’ve interviewed you a couple of times for the Michigan Business Beat but are now welcoming you as a Show host of ‘It’s A People Problem’. Tell the Michigan business community about your career and your knowledge about Cultural Intelligence?

Remind us about what Cultural Intelligence is?

So, you will be sharing a Mini-Series on MBN this year Cultural Intelligence or CQ, tell us about that?

Why is this a critical business subject in 2026?

Will you be having guests or just sharing your knowledge base on the topic?

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Fathy is looking to start a conversation about Cultural Intelligence (besides what is it) would be:

-How is CQ different from just being culturally “aware” or “sensitive”?

-What are some common misunderstandings people have about what culture is?

-What happens when CQ is missing in a conversation or workplace setting?

-Can you share a real-life example where high or low CQ made a noticeable difference?

-What’s a common myth or misconception about who needs Cultural Intelligence?

-How does CQ show up in places we don’t always think about—like in schools, healthcare, or customer service?

-Can you think of a moment where you personally had to adjust your behavior or thinking because of cultural differences?
-What’s one simple way someone listening today could start building their Cultural Intelligence?
-If we could all grow in our CQ, what kind of changes do you think we’d see in our communities or workplaces?

You can pick and choose or throw your own questions in there! There are some in this list that are similar or could be combined.

These ones are specifically tailored to the CQ Knowledge and Drive section:

– Is CQ something people are born with—or can anyone develop it?

– How can someone deepen their understanding of another culture without falling into tokenism or assumptions?

-Why is it important to understand your own cultural lens—not just someone else’s?

-How does CQ Knowledge help in places like healthcare, education, or public service?

-What are some tools or ways people can expand their cultural knowledge without traveling?

– Why do some people lean into differences with curiosity while others avoid or resist them?

– What does it look like when someone has high CQ Drive but low CQ Knowledge? Or the other way around?

– How can organizations or teams help people stay motivated to learn about culture—not just check the box?

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