Are You a Purple Person? How Culture Fit Impacts Hiring, Retention, and Workplace Happiness
- Simon Green
- Jul 28
- 4 min read
Meta Description:
Discover why cultural fit is key to team performance, employee retention, and hiring success — plus how companies like Patagonia get it right.
Introduction: The Problem You Can’t Afford to Ignore
Business owners and employees alike often focus on performance, productivity, and skills. But there’s something more subtle ..and far more powerful.. that determines long-term success: culture fit.
It’s not just about values or perks. It’s about energy, communication, and alignment. It’s the difference between thriving in your role.. or counting down the minutes until you can clock out.
What’s Your Colour? (And Why It Matters)
Imagine every person has a colour, a mix of traits, working styles, motivations, and ways of seeing the world.
Purple might be fast-paced, direct, emotionally agile, and great under pressure.
Yellow might be empathetic, collaborative, reflective.
Green might be practical and methodical.
Blue might thrive in creative, visionary, or independent roles.
In any business, you’ll have a “room”, a dominant culture. If your company’s room is purple, it may value initiative, adaptability, high customer interaction, and emotional resilience. But what happens when someone who is naturally yellow walks in?
Misalignment.
That doesn’t mean the employee is wrong, or the business is. It just means there’s a mismatch. And if left unaddressed, it can turn toxic.
Culture Mismatch: The Ripple Effect
Let’s be real. If you’re an employee who doesn’t feel at home in the business culture, you’ll feel drained. You may find yourself in conflict with peers or leadership, struggling to stay motivated, or quietly influencing others with negativity.
That kind of resistance doesn’t stay at work. It travels home with your managers and teammates. It impacts customer experience. And it can damage morale across the team.
It’s okay not to be a purple person. But don’t burn the room down. Instead, find the room that’s made for you.
Sometimes that means moving into a different department with a different energy. Sometimes it means changing careers, seeking coaching, or working with a recruiter to find a better match. What it never means is giving up your integrity or staying stuck in bitterness.
For Employers: Don’t Just Hire for Skills. Hire for Fit.
Business owners, here’s your side of the story.
If you’re hiring based only on CVs or qualifications, you’re missing the mark. Culture misalignment is one of the biggest causes of:
Low retention rates
Team friction
Poor performance
Mental health issues at work
Companies like Patagonia understand this deeply. Their hiring isn’t just about finding talent, it’s about finding people who live their values. Environmental activism, sustainability, purpose-led work, it’s embedded in everything they do. And as a result, their staff turnover is low, engagement is high, and culture is self-reinforcing.
You can do the same. Start by defining your company’s “colour”, the behaviours and traits that make your business thrive. Then:
Use value-based questions in interviews
Create trial shifts or shadowing opportunities
Observe real-time interaction with team members
Avoid forcing people into a room they don’t want to be in
How to Improve Company Culture, For Everyone
Whether you’re an employee feeling out of sync, or a leader trying to attract the right people, here are practical steps to take:
For Employees:
Reflect on your natural working style - what energises or drains you?
Ask cultural questions in interviews, for example "What’s a typical team meeting like?" or "How is feedback handled here?"
Seek coaching or mentoring to better articulate what you need
If you’re struggling, don’t default to gossip or disengagement. It undermines trust and hurts future opportunities.
For Employers:
Host feedback sessions to explore values from your team’s perspective
Involve staff in defining company culture - don’t assume you already know it
Offer development pathways so people can evolve their skills and their fit
Learn from brands like Patagonia where culture is a filter, not a façade
Case Study Snapshot: Patagonia’s Culture in Action
Patagonia has become a gold standard in purpose-driven culture. Here’s how.
Hiring for values: They prioritise activism, environmental awareness, and alignment with their mission.
Empowering autonomy - Flexible work, trusting leadership, and employee-owned decision-making reinforce belonging.
Walking the talk - From fair wages to sustainability efforts, they live their values, and attract people who do the same.
This isn’t just good ethics, it’s smart business. Employee retention and satisfaction levels speak for themselves.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is culture fit in the workplace?
Culture fit is the alignment between an individual’s values, behaviours, and working style and the overall culture of the business or team.
Why is company culture important?
Strong company culture improves employee satisfaction, retention, productivity, and brand reputation — while reducing toxic behaviours and turnover.
How can I improve culture fit in my hiring process?
Use value-based interviews, trial shifts, real-life scenario testing, and team feedback to assess alignment beyond qualifications.
What if I don’t fit my company’s culture?
It’s okay, seek support, stay constructive, and look for roles or environments where you naturally thrive.
Ready to Build Your Culture?
Whether you’re a business leader hiring your next star team member or an employee seeking a role that fits, culture is the key. At Point1 Consulting, we help businesses define their colour, improve their recruitment process, and build sustainable cultures that people want to stay in.
Simon
Founder, Point1 Consulting
“Helping good businesses grow through clarity, culture, and action.
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