Alignment vs. Culture: What Really Drives Success

I hear a lot of recruiters and business owners talk about “culture fit.” It's become a common phrase, but often, a lazy one.

Culture fit has come to mean “Do they share our values?” or “Would we want to grab a drink with them?” While ethos matters, it doesn’t tell you whether the person is aligned with the role, the mission, or the outcomes required for success.

Culture fit is about belonging.

Alignment is about impact.

When someone is aligned, they not only understand the company’s vision, but they also see how their strengths and role directly support it. Alignment ensures that the expectations, motivations, and working styles of the individual and the organization actually connect.

That connection is where performance takes root.

When I was a young rep, my best years came not from being part of a “great culture,” but from being in alignment with my Sales Engineer. We weren't mirrors of each other, far from it. Our styles, personalities, and strengths were different. But we were aligned in how we approached clients, shared goals, and measured success.

That alignment created trust.

Trust created collaboration.

And collaboration created results.

So when you’re hiring, coaching, or building teams, stop asking “Are they a culture fit?” and start asking “Are we aligned on what success looks like?”

Because culture may get someone in the door.

Alignment keeps them, and makes them thrive.