Article 7: Culture Fit vs Culture Add

In the most simple of terms, 'Culture Fit' is when a company bases their hiring of an employee on how closely they align with the internal values, beliefs and behaviors of the organization.

'Culture Add' is when a company seeks out someone that has a diversified skill set that the organization does not currently have, in the hopes that the employee will add value.

Right now a lot of debate is going on surrounding which hiring method is best.

The Wall Street Journal for instance put out this article, Culture Fit Wall Street Journal detailing how hiring based on Culture Fit is a bad idea because it runs the risk of creating an environment of clones that lacks any diversity and isn't open to change, even if the change is beneficial.

The benefit to Culture Fit is that if done right, due to the shared values and philosophies, there tends to be less risk of interpersonal conflict and a relaxed work environment with a premium on socialization both during and after the work day.

The vast majority of articles I have read and people I have spoken to greatly prefer 'Culture Add.' 'Culture Add' asserts that a hiring should be made based on work history, experience and above all merit. It isn't exclusive to people that think or look exactly like each other. In their estimation hiring based on Culture Add is the fairest way to be.

The downside of Culture Add, is with a more diversified work force, it potentially opens a company up to staffing people that do not get along and wind up in conflict.

During a recent conversation on this topic, a constituent of mine stated, "I don't mind Culture Add even if there is someone I don't get along with, I am fine with being uncomfortable because I am an adult and this is my job. If we don't get along but our skills sets add to the organization, that's perfectly acceptable to me."

I get her point and it makes sense on a lot of levels assuming the organization has a strong foundation of conflict resolution and two people that don't get along can coexist without deferring to their manager or HR every time the other looks their way.

Having been a Manager in charge of hiring new employees as well as a job seeker, I believe the best hiring is some combination of both. From a culture perspective, I don't know that every philosophy needs to be the same as long as a job seeker exhibits maturity, integrity and is open to change when required.

As far as work background, yes, skill-set and experience should play a significant factor in hiring an employee. However, that doesn't mean someone can't come from a different industry and make a significant impact as long as they have the right work ethic and are adaptable.

At the end of the day, if an employer makes an offer based on both culture and add, and is clear on what their expectations are, it is on the shoulders of the job seeker to decide if what the company is offering works for them.