Let’s talk about a recruitment temptation that’s very real—especially in regional areas and during a skills shortage.
You’ve just hired a brilliant employee from a competitor. They’re sharp, they get the job done, and within weeks… five of their former colleagues want in too.
Sounds like all your staffing headaches are solved, right?
Well… not quite.
Because while you’re celebrating the win, you might’ve just opened the front door to something you didn’t mean to invite in: someone else’s culture.
And not just any culture—the one your new hires couldn’t wait to leave… but have unknowingly brought with them.
Culture Is Contagious (The Good and the Bad)
Every employee brings more than just skills—they bring habits, behaviours, language, expectations, and unwritten rules from their previous workplace. That includes how they:
- Approach safety and compliance
- Speak to (and about) each other
- Treat clients, deadlines, and downtime
If the company they’re coming from is known for cutting corners, toxic banter, or a ‘just get it done’ mindset with zero accountability… you need to ask:
What part of that will land in your business—and who’s there to catch it?
Leadership Shapes Culture, Not Just Headcount
The truth is, culture doesn’t magically reset with a new ABN and a fresh hi-vis shirt.
If your business doesn’t have clear expectations, strong leadership, and a culture strategy that’s more than a poster in the tea room, then the loudest voices will set the tone.
And if those voices are coming from a crew used to working in chaos, they’ll start to embed behaviours and norms before you’ve even realised.
So, What Should You Do?
- Get clear on your culture.
Define what good looks like in your organisation—language, values, behaviours, expectations. - Build it into your onboarding.
Don’t just hand them a job—hand them the why behind how you work. Be crystal clear about what is and isn’t acceptable. - Back it with leadership.
Culture is a leadership issue. If your leaders don’t role model your expectations, don’t be surprised when old habits sneak in. - Watch group dynamics.
Hiring a crew from one business? Be aware of cliques, gossip loops, and the ‘that’s how we used to do it’ trap.
One Great Hire Can Be a Win.
Five? Maybe.
Five from the wrong culture? Risky as hell.
Culture is built moment by moment, decision by decision, hire by hire. So next time someone says, “I’ve got a mate looking too…”—pause. Ask yourself:
Am I building the culture I want—or importing one I’ll have to undo?
Want to put intentional culture at the centre of your hiring strategy?
Let’s chat. I’ll help you hire with clarity—not just urgency.
HR CONSULTING THAT DRIVES REAL RESULTS – AUSTRALIA-WIDE
AT THE PEOPLE & CULTURE OFFICE, WE’RE MORE THAN JUST HR CONSULTANTS – WE’RE YOUR PARTNERS IN BUILDING THRIVING WORKPLACES. BASED IN KALGOORLIE AND SUPPORTING BUSINESSES AUSTRALIA-WIDE, WE SPECIALISE IN EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT, WORKPLACE CULTURE, AND WELLBEING TO HELP YOUR BUSINESS SUCCEED.
FROM HR COMPLIANCE AND POLICY DEVELOPMENT TO ENHANCING EMPLOYEE EXPERIENCE AND STRATEGIC RECRUITMENT, WE MAKE HR SIMPLE, EFFECTIVE, AND IMPACTFUL. OUR GOAL? TO CREATE PEOPLE-CENTERED SOLUTIONS THAT ENSURE YOUR EMPLOYEES FEEL VALUED, ENGAGED, AND EMPOWERED TO PERFORM AT THEIR BEST.
WHETHER YOU’RE IN KALGOORLIE OR BEYOND, WE HELP BUSINESSES FOSTER POSITIVE WORKPLACE CULTURES WHERE TEAMS LOVE TO WORK. READY TO TRANSFORM YOUR HR STRATEGY AND ACHIEVE REAL BUSINESS OUTCOMES? LET’S WORK TOGETHER.
You must be logged in to post a comment.