(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){i['GoogleAnalyticsObject']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){ (i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o), m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m) })(window,document,'script','https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js','ga'); ga('create', 'UA-76539223-1', 'auto'); ga('send', 'pageview');

Experience Vs Cultural Fit…

I hear it every single day when letting someone down due to not having the right cultural fit for a job… “but I have this experience, and this experience…”. To me, having the right experience constitutes to 50% (if not less) of finding the right person for a senior position. Culture is difficult to explain, or describe, it’s just there.

“Organizational culture includes an organization’s expectations, experiences, philosophy, as well as the values that guide member behavior, and is expressed in member self-image, inner workings, interactions with the outside world, and future expectations. Culture is based on shared attitudes, beliefs, customs, and written and unwritten rules that have been developed over time and are considered valid.”– The Business Dictionary

Now I have plenty of weaknesses… hitting fairways, staying within budget, delegation to name a few… however one of my strengths is going in to a business, soaking up the culture, listening to people and asking the right questions. I LOVEgauging culture, it’s intangible, some have been developed purposefully, some have developed naturally, however it is always because of people within that business. Every time I am engaged exclusively by a client, the most important first step I take is to visit the organisation and do the following:

  • Watch how employees interact with each other
  • Watch how members interact with each other
  • Watch how the member and the employees interact
  • How are the employees communicated to?
  • What is the management style of the senior management?
  • Does the organisation have core valves? A vision? Are they implemented?

Conducting an emotional audit of all of the people working in or using the organisations facilities is crucial to determining the type of person required to taking the business forward, whether it’s someone to fit in to an all-ready successful culture, or someone who is experienced in cultural change to come in to change a toxic culture that is contributing to a failing organisation.

Of course, it’s important to have the right experience for a position at a senior level, but to find someone to maximise the success of an organisation 100% they MUST fit culturally.

 

#Culture #MaximisingSuccess #ExecutiveSearch #TheGolfIndustry


One response to “Experience Vs Cultural Fit…

  1. Really enjoyed this Doug. In all honesty, not least of all because it gives me the confidence to continuing being the person and professional I believe in, working with the strengths I know I have. Sometimes, as you say, that is equally or more important than the experience you can show. Thank you.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.