E103: Culture Fit

Does your workplace truly celebrate diversity, or do they pressure people to conform?  Today, we delve into a topic that affects us all – how to build a truly inclusive workplace where everyone can feel a sense of belonging. Get ready for an eye-opening look at why fitting in should never come at the cost of fitting in. Here are some power takeaways from today’s conversation: The trouble with culture fit The power of belonging Our differences make us strong. Episode Highlights: [00:00] The Power of Belonging Brene Brown's quote, "True belonging doesn't require you to change who you are, it only requires you to be who you are" is something I’ve taken to heart. It emphasizes being your authentic self rather than feeling pressure to change to "fit in" to a company culture.  [00:29] The Trouble with "Culture Fit" The concept of "culture fit" can negatively impact workplace belonging. When you say, "a person doesn't fit in,” it implies someone is somehow not suitable for the company culture. And so, saying an employee "doesn't fit" the culture is antithetical to creating an environment where people can truly belong.  No one is completely homogeneous with their coworkers - instead, the diverse backgrounds and experiences of all individuals is what makes a team dynamic and innovative.  Rather than focusing on whether someone conforms to perceived cultural norms, companies should embrace the "motley crew" of people they employ. By hiring for skills and character over superficial "fit," workplaces can avoid exclusionary practices and ensure people feel comfortable simply being their authentic selves. [00:50] The Wisdom of Many Rather than focusing on hiring or promoting only those who seem inherently "smart," the diversity of perspectives on a team is what generates true intelligence. It's the "sum of the totality" or collective knowledge, skills, experiences and backgrounds that allows a group to be smarter than one.