Be specific about practices, not just values. Instead of saying "I like collaboration," describe how you run a code review or a knowledge-sharing session.
Authentic answers reference specific practices: blameless retrospectives, thorough code reviews, knowledge sharing sessions, psychological safety, sustainable pace. Beware of generic answers like "collaborative" without specifics. Best candidates describe both what they value and what they actively do to build culture.
Assess alignment with your team's actual culture. Also reveals self-awareness: does the candidate know what environment they thrive in? Do they contribute or just consume culture?