When companies talk about hiring the “right fit,” it often means looking for candidates who match the existing workplace culture. But for Benjie Unica, a Certified Human Resource Professional, this traditional approach may be holding businesses back.
“I used to believe in culture fit… but I realized that using it can unintentionally mask our biases. What we should be striving for is culture add,” Benjie tells Financial Adviser PH.
With years of experience in HR operations, service design, and employee experience, Benjie now advocates for a more inclusive and strategic way to build teams—one that celebrates diversity of thought, background, and perspective.
From Familiarity to Growth: Rethinking the Hiring Lens
For many organizations, “culture fit” has been shorthand for team harmony. But Benjie has seen how overusing that term can lead to hiring only those who look, think, or act like the existing team—which may feel safe but slows innovation.
“When we say someone isn’t a fit, we need to ask: is it truly about values or just comfort? Culture fit can easily become an echo chamber if we’re not careful.”
Instead, he promotes the concept of culture add—intentionally seeking people who bring new energy, fresh viewpoints, and constructive challenge to the table.
Inclusive Leadership Starts With Awareness
Benjie’s philosophy is rooted in self-awareness and leadership accountability. For HR professionals and hiring managers, that means moving beyond gut feel and toward structured, inclusive practices.
He encourages:
- Defining clear, values-based hiring criteria
- Encouraging open conversations about differences
- Valuing emotional intelligence and cross-cultural experience
- Making room for healthy disagreement and innovation
“True inclusion isn’t just about policies—it’s about how we make people feel every day, from onboarding to leadership development,” he shares with Financial Adviser PH.
Culture Add as a Business Advantage
Far from being a feel-good concept, Benjie believes culture add drives performance. Teams that are diverse in background and thought make better decisions, challenge norms, and uncover blind spots.
In his current global HR role, he supports employees from across regions and time zones—and says that cultural diversity isn’t a hurdle; it’s an asset.
“If you want to grow as a company, you need people who help you see things differently. That’s what culture add gives you.”
Advice for HR Teams Rethinking Culture
Benjie’s message to fellow HR leaders is clear: Don’t let comfort lead your hiring decisions.
“Stop asking, ‘Will this person fit in?’ Start asking, ‘What new strengths can this person bring to our culture?’ That shift changes everything.”
