The Pitfalls of Cultural Fit

by Krista Haley, Senior Vice President

Executive search firms routinely tout their ability to find candidates with not only the requisite skills and work experience for a job, but those who also will provide a proper “cultural fit” with the hiring organization.

Hiring someone who fits in with your existing culture makes good sense. You may need someone who shares the same mission or values or work ethic as you and your team in order to be successful in the role.

But the flip side is the potential for stagnation. Diversity of experience, perspective and personal style are crucial to creating an environment in which new ideas flourish, status quo is challenged, and individuals are pushed to be their best. Moving forward means change, and an out-of-the-box candidate could provide a breath of fresh air.

You want someone who fits into your culture, but don’t surround yourself with clones.