A New Definition of Culture Fit
Culture fit is important as you’re growing your team or your company – most would agree – but have you stepped back to understand what culture fit really means? How do we actually know if someone is a culture fit or not? From my work with hundreds of companies, it seems that many are using indicators that aren’t very helpful at all.
In fact, they’re even at odds with growth, innovation and results…
“Someone that doesn’t disturb your existing situation.” That’s what culture fit means to many that I’ve informally interviewed – it’s more or less the same the world over. Culture fit seems like just another way of saying: they don’t question too much, they don’t push too much, they don’t rock the boat too much. Great! There might be a time and a place for that, but I don’t think that’s the best way to look at someone as a culture fit or not.
Not pushing the envelope at all doesn’t lead to any real growth – for the people or the company. Only hiring from a place of agreement doesn’t add much at all beyond what you’re already doing (other than more work hour capacity). Agreement only results in more agreement – not necessarily better results.
I assert that a real culture fit is someone that’s aligned with mission, vision and values, but does not necessarily always exactly agree with how everything is being done to accomplish those goals.
They’re asking: Why?
They’re pushing for higher performance (from themselves, others and the company).
They’re looking for new ways of doing things.
They’re committed to the same ultimate goals that you and the team are looking for – but they rock the boat as much as they need to, to be able to get there better, faster and smarter than how it’s currently being done. They’re aligned with where you are ultimately going, but they don’t always agree on the same way to get there… Alignment results in more and better.
And sure, there might be some rub. There could be disagreements, some discomfort, some challenging conversations. But those aren’t necessarily marks of not fitting in. They can be marks of people coming together who are committed to creating something better. And better. And better still, #NoMatterWhat.
Whether you’re looking to bring someone new into your organization or not, I challenge you to find someone that’s aligned, but doesn’t necessarily consistently agree all of the time. Welcome their thoughts, feedback and perspective. See what you can uncover or understand differently that might lead to a better path, not just more of the same path that you’re on. If you don’t have anyone, DM me on Instagram, Facebook or LinkedIn – share with me what you’re ultimately committed to and I’ll see if I can link you up with someone in the #NoMatterWhat Community that’s a real culture fit to help you grow.
Just so we’re clear, I’m not advocating constant disruption. That would make it challenging to do just about anything over time, but there’s a time and a place for these things. Working with someone that can rock the boat and get things done at the same time is a real culture fit. They’re disturbing your present situation in a way that leads to growth, innovation and results. Maybe your new definition of culture fit isn’t agreement, but alignment.