"I Was the Only Woman in the Room": Dr. Janine Lee on Belonging, Burnout, and Building a Better Workplace for Women of Color in Tech
Growing Your Career
Why A Culture Add Matters More Than A Culture Fit
At Tech Ladies, we teamed up with our employer partner, Possible Finance, to explore what makes a candidate stand out—not just on paper, but in how they connect to the team and mission. This blog breaks down the idea of culture add, focusing on the unique value someone brings rather than how well they "fit." For job seekers, there’s a clear takeaway: strong interviews aren’t just about experience. They’re about curiosity, alignment, and authenticity. Read on to learn how Possible approaches values-based hiring—and how you can show up with intention in your job search.
At Possible Finance, corporate values serve as guiding principles that shape the behavior, decisions, and actions of individuals within the organization. They provide a moral compass and define the expected standards of conduct. Clear and well-communicated values help employees understand what is expected of them and how they should align their behaviors with the organization's mission and vision.
Values play a crucial role in shaping the organizational culture. They set the tone for how employees, customers, and external stakeholders interact with one another. A strong and positive culture built on shared values can foster employee engagement, collaboration, and a sense of belonging. It helps create a work environment that attracts and retains talented individuals who align with the organization's values.
We are not looking for a culture fit; we desire a culture add.
Being a culture add refers to an individual's ability to bring unique perspectives, experiences, and values to a team or organization, thereby enriching the existing culture. It emphasizes the idea that diversity, in terms of backgrounds, skills, and perspectives, is valuable and contributes to a team or company's overall success and growth.
While the concept of being a culture fit focuses on aligning with existing norms and values, being a culture add takes a different approach. It recognizes that diversity and inclusion are essential for fostering organizational creativity, innovation, and adaptability. By embracing individuals who bring fresh ideas and diverse viewpoints, a team can benefit from a broader range of perspectives, resulting in more comprehensive problem-solving, increased collaboration, and a stronger organizational culture.
Being a culture add means going beyond the existing cultural expectations and adding new dimensions to the team's dynamics. It involves embracing differences, fostering inclusivity, and valuing the unique contributions that each individual brings to the table. It encourages learning from one another, promoting open-mindedness, and creating an environment where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to contribute their authentic selves.
We seek people who show alignment with our values and are a culture add too. Join us.
This post is part of a 3-part blog series diving into life at Possible Finance. Stay tuned for the next posts!
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