In Australia, we pride ourselves on running businesses that are not just successful but also great places to work. Part of that comes down to the people we bring on board – their skills, attitudes, and the way they work with others.
“Cultural fit” is a term you’ve probably heard tossed around in hiring circles. It’s about finding people whose values, behaviours, and communication styles align with your existing workplace culture. Sounds great in theory, right? And for many businesses, it’s a key deciding factor in who gets the job.
But here’s the catch. If you focus too much on hiring people who ‘fit in’, you might be unintentionally holding your business back. An overemphasis on cultural fit can actually stifle creativity, limit diversity of thought, and slow your business growth.
So how do we balance team harmony with innovation?
Is the “Perfect Fit” Actually the Right Hire?
We all want a team that gets along. No one’s suggesting you hire people who will constantly clash or derail collaboration. But if your hiring decisions revolve entirely around finding people who are just like everyone else, you risk creating a workforce that thinks and acts the same way.
Your workplace culture is not meant to be set in stone. It is a living, breathing thing that should grow and adapt as your business evolves. If you only hire people who blend perfectly into your current setup, you might be shutting the door on fresh ideas, new approaches, and valuable change.
Instead of asking, “Will this person fit into our culture?” try asking, “Will this person help us take our culture to the next level?”
Getting Out of the Cultural Comfort Zone
Hiring for cultural fit can feel like the safe option. Less chance of conflict, more chance of smooth teamwork. But when everyone approaches problems in the same way, innovation takes a hit. You might end up in what I like to call The Comfort Zone, and while it is cosy, it is not where growth happens.
Instead, create a workplace where people feel safe to share their opinions, challenge ideas, and contribute in ways that matter to them. This is called psychological safety, and it is a much stronger foundation than everyone simply getting along. When people feel safe to speak up, you get better ideas, stronger engagement, and a more resilient business.
The Risk of “Same-Same” Hiring
Businesses that over-rely on cultural fit often end up with teams that are too alike, not just in personality, but in the way they communicate and problem-solve.
Tools like DISC assessments can be eye-opening here. DISC looks at four key behavioural styles: Dominance, Influence, Steadiness, and Compliance. None are ‘better’ than others; they just highlight different strengths and working styles.
But when you map DISC profiles across a business, you sometimes see the same pattern repeated over and over. That is a sign your hiring might be too narrowly focused. For example, a team made up mostly of people high in Steadiness and Compliance might be great at following processes and keeping things steady, but you may struggle with bold decision-making or quick pivots when needed.
Avoiding the “They Look the Part” Trap
The idea of cultural fit can sometimes be fuzzy, even subjective. Is it about a sense of humour? A “good work ethic”? The “right energy”? These are tricky to define and can easily be influenced by unconscious bias.
In smaller businesses, especially, “fit” can sometimes mean “someone I would be comfortable having a beer with” but that is not necessarily the best basis for a hiring decision. At worst, it can become an excuse for only hiring people who look, sound, and think like the existing team, which can unintentionally limit diversity and, in some cases, cross into discriminatory territory.
The goal should always be to build a team that reflects your values, not just one that feels familiar.
Focus on Cultural Evolution, Not Just Fit
Australian businesses are operating in a fast-changing environment. Your culture should be adapting too. Instead of looking for people who match your current way of doing things, think about who will help you get to where you want to be.
This does not mean throwing your core values out the window. It means hiring people who align with those values, but who can express them in new and exciting ways. People who can healthily challenge the team, bring different experiences, and spark fresh thinking.
From “Fitting In” to “Adding Value”
When interviewing, do not just assess whether someone will fit into your culture. Assess whether they will add to it. Bring other team members into the process to ensure you are seeing candidates from multiple perspectives. Focus on alignment with values, not carbon-copy personalities.
Cultural fit still matters, but only when it is about shared values and respect, not enforcing sameness. If you embrace individuality and fresh perspectives, you will not only protect your culture, but you will also help it thrive.