When hiring new employees, the debate between prioritizing cultural fit or skill set continues to challenge recruiters and hiring managers. However, a growing body of evidence suggests that cultural fit should take precedence over technical skills. The reasoning behind this approach is simple yet powerful: hard skills can be taught, but the person and their personality that comprise the cultural fit make for contented employees and happy, productive teams within an organization.
Cultural fit refers to how well an individual’s values, beliefs, and behaviors align with those of their team and, by extension, the organization. When employees share similar values and work ethics, they are more likely to collaborate effectively, communicate openly, and contribute positively to the overall work environment. According to author, HR industry analyst and consultant Josh Bersin, “Culture is the most important differentiator in business today. It’s what makes your company unique and is the key to attracting and retaining the best talent.” [1].
While technical skills are obviously important, they are not the sole determinant of an employee’s success within an organization. An overemphasis on skills can lead to hiring individuals who may be technically proficient but struggle to integrate into the company culture. One of the key arguments for prioritizing cultural fit is, in fact, the trainability of skills. Most technical competencies can be developed through proper training and on-the-job experience. Organizations that invest in employee development programs can effectively bridge skill gaps and nurture talent from within.
A study conducted by Leadership IQ found that 46% of new hires fail within 18 months, and of those failures, 89% are due to poor cultural fit rather than lack of technical skills[1]. And, as noted by Spark Hire, “Having the opportunity to train someone according to your specific way of business and company culture is often the best way to go. With these new hires, you have no old habits to break when you are able to lay the foundation of their initial training[1].”
Employees who align well with the company culture are more likely to be engaged, motivated, and committed to their roles. This alignment can lead to increased job satisfaction, higher retention rates, and improved overall performance, all of which greatly benefit the organization. A study by Glassdoor found that organizations with strong cultures saw a 4x increase in revenue growth compared to those with weak cultures[3].
Striking A Balance
While cultural fit should be the primary consideration, it’s important to note that completely disregarding skills is not advisable. The ideal approach would be to strike a balance between the two.
As noted by Staff Management, “Most of us won’t be lucky enough to find a candidate that perfectly aligns with our organizational culture and has all of the desired skills and qualifications. Just remember – each employee is an investment in your company. With a little time and training, an employee who initially lacked certain abilities, but fit in perfectly with the organization, can flourish into a skilled team member[2].”
To implement a culture-first hiring strategy effectively, organizations should clearly define their core values and communicate them to candidates throughout the recruitment process. This includes crafting job descriptions that honestly reflect company culture and values, as well as incorporating questions in the interview designed to assess cultural alignment. It is also a good idea to include team members in the hiring process to provide insights on a candidate’s potential fit within the existing culture, perhaps even offering a trial period or job shadowing opportunities to evaluate cultural compatibility.
Prioritizing cultural fit should not come at the expense of diversity and inclusion, however. A strong company culture can embrace diverse perspectives and experiences while maintaining a shared set of core values.
In this competitive business landscape, cultural fit has emerged as a critical factor in building productive, successful and harmonious teams. While technical skills are, of course, important, they should not overshadow the significance of cultural alignment. Prioritizing cultural fit in the hiring process enables a workforce that is capable and deeply committed to the company’s mission and values.
Investing in employees who share the company’s values and vision, an organization nurtures a positive work environment, drives innovation, and sustains growth in a volatile business landscape.
Skills can be developed over time, but cultural fit is the foundation upon which long-term success is built.
Citations:
[1] https://hr.sparkhire.com/cultural-fit/skill-set-vs-cultural-fit-which-one-wins/
[3] https://www.skillfuel.com/culture-fit-vs-skill-based-hiring/
