Companies sink or swim based on their internal culture. One bad hire can have a huge effect on morale, productivity, and ultimately, the bottom line.

Brad Feld, co-founder of startup accelerator TechStars and managing director at VC firm The Foundry Group, says that too many startups focus on hiring for competency over cultural fit. "Many people default into choosing people who have high competence but a low cultural fit," he writes. "This is a deadly mistake in a startup, as this is exactly the wrong person to hire."

Instead, leaders should hire people who see the much bigger picture, and can truly help a company thrive by aligning their career goals with a company's values and mission.


Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/workplace-culture-is-important-2013-1#ixzz2Ip0Y4sHV