Hi there ,

Reading time: 1 min 46 secs

I was having a really interesting conversation earlier today about the challenges of finding candidates who not only have the right skills but also truly enhance a team's culture.

Is there one magic question...?

It got me thinking about the one question that consistently helps me uncover those gems...

When you're hiring a new team member for your business, you're not just looking for someone who can perform the required tasks.

You're also looking for someone who will enhance your team's culture – a "culture add," not just a "culture fit."

But how do you uncover that during an interview?

What's the magic question that goes beyond the job description and reveals the kind of person they are and how they'll mesh with your existing team's dynamic?

In my experience, the number one interview question to ask a new candidate for culture add is this:

"Tell me about a time you introduced a new idea, tool, or process to a team, and what the impact was (both positive and negative)."

Now, why is this question so powerful for assessing culture add? Let's break it down:

• Initiative and Proactiveness: It shows whether the candidate is someone who actively looks for ways to improve things and isn't afraid to step outside their immediate responsibilities.
• Communication and Influence: How they describe the introduction of their idea reveals their communication style and their ability to influence others. Did they collaborate? Did they explain their reasoning clearly?
• Openness to Feedback: The question specifically asks about both positive and negative impacts. This is crucial for understanding their self-awareness and their ability to learn from feedback – a key trait for positive team growth.
• Collaboration and Teamwork: Their answer will likely highlight how they worked with the team. Were they collaborative? Did they consider others' perspectives? Culture add is often about how someone enhances the way the team works together.
• Impact and Value: It demonstrates their ability to contribute meaningfully beyond their core tasks and how they measure success. Do they focus solely on individual achievement or the team's overall improvement?

By listening closely to their answer, you'll gain valuable insights into whether this candidate is someone who will simply fit into your existing culture or actively contribute to making it even better.

They might bring fresh perspectives, introduce new ways of thinking, and inspire the team to evolve and grow.

So, the next time you're interviewing a candidate, give this question a try. You might just find that individual who not only has the necessary skills but also the personality and drive to supercharge your team's culture.

Happy Hiring!

Helen

P.S. Ready to find talent who will be a true culture add to your team? Let's chat about crafting interview questions that go beyond the surface. Reply to this email or click the button below:

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