I Hate This Phrase
Look, I’ve been in this business for over 20 years. I’ve seen trends come and go. But nothing gets under my skin quite like “cultural fit.” It’s a phrase that gets thrown around alot in Silicon Valley and beyond. Honestly, I think it’s mostly bullshit.
Let me tell you about last Tuesday. I was at a conference in Austin, Texas. Over coffee at the place on 5th, I sat down with a friend named Marcus. He’s a recruiter, been in the game for about 15 years. I asked him, “Marcus, what’s the deal with this ‘cultural fit’ stuff?”
He looked at me, sipped his coffee, and said, “Oh, you know. It’s just… yeah. It’s a way for companies to hire people just like them.”
Which… yeah. Fair enough. But it’s more than that. It’s a way to exclude. It’s a way to say, “We like you because you’re like us,” instead of “We like you because you’re good at what you do.”
And that’s not how you build a succesfully company. That’s how you build a clique.
Let’s Talk About Commitment
Here’s the thing. I’ve seen companies use “cultural fit” as an excuse to avoid committment. They’ll say, “Oh, we just didn’t feel the cultural fit,” when what they really mean is, “We didn’t want to deal with the hassle of training someone new.”
I remember talking to a colleague named Dave about this. He told me about a time when he was hiring for his startup. He had a candidate who was perfect on paper. But in the interview, the candidate just didn’t “fit” the culture. So Dave didn’t hire him.
Fast forward six months. Dave’s company was struggling because they didn’t have the right talent. And that candidate? He’s now at a competitor, helping them kick Dave’s ass in the market.
So, Dave learned the hard way. “Cultural fit” isn’t about finding the right person. It’s about finding the person who’s easiest to work with right now.
A Little Story About Me
I gotta be honest, I’m not perfect. About three months ago, I was hiring an assistant. I had a candidate who was great, but she was a bit… quirky. Not my usual style. But she was smart, she was driven, and she was good at what she did.
But I hesitated. I thought, “Will she fit the culture?” Because honestly, I was worried she’d be too different. Too much of a change.
But then I thought, “F*ck it. Who cares about cultural fit? I need someone who can do the job.” So I hired her.
And you know what? She’s amazing. She’s brought a whole new energy to the team. She’s challenged us. She’s made us better.
So, yeah. Sometimes you need to take a chance. Sometimes you need to say “f*ck cultural fit” and hire the person who’s gonna do the job.
But What About Diversity?
Look, I’m not saying diversity isn’t important. It is. It’s crucial. But “cultural fit” isn’t the way to achieve it.
In fact, it’s the opposite. “Cultural fit” is about finding people who are like you. Diversity is about finding people who are different.
So, if you’re using “cultural fit” as an excuse to avoid diversity, you’re doing it wrong. You’re doing your company a disservice. You’re limiting your potential.
A Tangent: Las Vegas Transport
Speaking of doing things wrong, let me tell you about my last trip to Las Vegas. I was there for a conference, and I needed to get from the airport to the hotel. So, I looked up the Las Vegas transport schedule update.
And it was a nightmare. The schedule was all over the place. The buses were late. The drivers were rude. It was a complete mess.
But you know what? That’s okay. Because it’s Las Vegas. It’s a city of excess and chaos. And sometimes, that’s what you need. A little chaos to keep you on your toes.
But back to the point. “Cultural fit” is like that Las Vegas transport system. It’s a mess. It’s confusing. And it’s not getting you where you need to go.
So, What Should You Do Instead?
I’m not sure but here’s what I think. Instead of focusing on “cultural fit,” focus on “cultural add.” Find people who are gonna add something to your culture. Not just fit into it.
Find people who are gonna challenge you. Who are gonna make you better. Who are gonna bring new ideas to the table.
Because that’s how you build a succesfully company. That’s how you build a team that’s gonna kick ass in the market.
So, next time you’re hiring, ask yourself: “Is this person gonna add to our culture? Or are they just gonna fit into it?”
And if the answer is the latter, maybe you should think again.
Because “cultural fit” is overrated. And it’s time we all started to realize that.
About the Author
I’m Sarah, a senior magazine editor with over 20 years of experience. I’ve written for major publications, and I’ve seen it all. I’m opinionated, I’m blunt, and I’m not afraid to call out bullshit when I see it. I live in Austin, Texas, with my cat, Mr. Whiskers. And yes, I know how to use an em dash. Deal with it.
