If the Shoe Fits: Saving Culture
by Miki SaxonA Friday series exploring Startups and the people who make them go. Read all If the Shoe Fits posts here
As the importance of culture in startups becomes ever more obvious, founders are faced with this question.
“How do we keep our corporate culture as we grow?”
The answer is “Through a lot of hard work and tough hiring decisions.”
There are no shortcuts; no easy way; no app for that.
Unfortunately, that’s not an answer many founders want to hear—or do.
First, you have to clearly identify absolute company values—those with no wiggle room—which takes time and effort.
Next, it means interviewing far more candidates than when all that matters are skills.
Finally, it takes the toughness to walk away from sometimes dazzling candidates who, no matter how brilliant and skilled they are, just don’t fit.
It’s far easier to teach a skill than instill/change values and/or attitude.
So the next time you find yourself in this situation stop and think—is it worth selling your company’s culture down the river just to avoid more interviewing.
It’s your choice, but everyone will end up sleeping in the bed you choose to make.
Image credit: HikingArtist