I’m not a culture fit in the company I help run

I am not one of the founders. But I am part of the executive team (i.e. VP-level). I hired more than half of the company – most are my 1st and 2nd level network.

Needless to say, with the people I hire, their wavelength are the same as mine. But for the management team, I feel that I am not a culture fit.

They want to build something sexy. I want to build something that solves a problem. In management meetings, problems are hidden with flowery words and is considered managing others expectations. I prefer hard cold facts in order to actually manage expectations (i.e. I will not tell you everything is ok if it’s not). They normally tend to apply the same principles to their decision making, while I apply a different set.

With that, I’m thinking. I may not be a culture fit. But if I should leave, i fear that majority of my hires would start to leave as well. And I don’t think I can do that to my startup.

How should I approach this?

 


  • If you stage this big leave and the buzz is —-others are going to follow you,

    this creates power in your corner. Then…you flex your power and steer the company more your way of thinking.. Business is nothing more than a chess game 24/7

    • You shouldn’t be in a chess battle this early. If you are 100% without a doubt certain it is completely them, then leave you are not a fit. More likely, you sound like you are not considering the other aspects of the business, which include selling, client acquisition, marketing and team management, all of which rely on a grey scale instead of cold hard black/white facts.

  • Talking from experience. Not being on the same page with top ppl is not good for the business. Worked at startup where 2 founders constantly had a battle of approach how to do the business and the whole company was divided in two. It was a terrible place to work and I left. Needless to say, “my side” was weaker in this battle, although all the numbers were on our side. Incredible stuff really.

  • I would recommend setting up a decision-making process (for major decisions) – SWOT analysis will encourage the team to approach large decisions with a more realistic viewpoint

  • First of all: stop and take a deep breath. Quitting now is not your answer. And don’t be so sure so many will leave. That notion is at times, buried in our darker desires, but in reality, those people have bills to pay and their personal experience may be different despite their empathy. Staying or leaving must be based on other factors.

    Your difference of opinion is not a necessarily indicative of a different culture. A strong company needs opposing view points and varied perceptions of the issues. No business should be without it’s colorful, bubbly, optimistic entrepreneur. But, without that seemingly stogy person who sits two seats away from the head of the table; their analytical skills; their perfectionism that must be endured: the business could very easily falter. In view of how these other executives view the issues of their business; I would table this discussion with them as you have here. Ask pointedly, if they can appreciate the inclusion of some conservatism. Ask them if they believe that sexy alone is enough, or if some other practical practices are not required.

    I can tell you for a fact that no business can operate with all glitter and no dull, dreary book keeping, legislative watch dogging, loss prevention, market analysis, policy management, research and development, and many more tasks that could be occurring in dungeons, but nevertheless must occur.

    Let them know what you do; how important it is; dig in and lead that position.

  • Hire a cultural consultant (HR) from mercer, hewitt etc..

    Loads of times founders only tend to listen to someone who is extremely experienced or a consultant. Another important thing ” Culture is top bottom”..always!

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