By Ben Baldwin, an EO Toronto member and co-founder of ClearFit, Inc. and careerXact, Inc.

Have you ever hired someone who didn’t turn out to be what you expected? Did that seemingly well-spoken, educated and experienced interviewee turn into just another “warm body” consuming valuable office air, or worse, turning off your best customers?

At some point, most entrepreneurs have made bad hiring decisions. Often the people who appear the best on paper—or in an interview—have the most to hide. In my business, we call it a “cultural malignancy” when a senior-level hire fails to fit in with their team. This type of poor hire can affect team performance, and in the process, entice staff to leave. Worse yet, a poor hire can cost a company a lot of money. (more…)