As Challenger continues to move forward in our journey from “Good” to “Great,” I notice people are starting to talk a lot more about the culture of our company. Every company or organization has its own culture and this is a lot more than a Mission Statement posted on the wall.

The more I read and study about company culture I have come to believe that culture is the way we act without being asked too, or how we act when no one is looking. Think about that statement for a minute. Do you act or react the same way if no one is watching? Here at Challenger we have a strong set of values and a strong culture of Putting People First. This is not just something that hangs on the wall; this is how we live our lives every day.

The first phase of our “Good to Great” journey was the “discovery phase” and during this we heard loud and clear from everyone that we have people committed to people at Challenger. I recall many comments like, “We are a family” and “I feel like I am a part of something”. This is proof that we have a receptive culture that people feel good about and want to be a part of. As we continue on our journey of “Good to Great” this is surely something we can build on and continue to be proud of.

I have heard it said that the Transportation Business is a “People Business” and I believe this to be true. Certainly we rely on machines and processes to operate, but people are at the heart of the Transportation Industry. At Challenger, people are the life of the business, and can make it thrive or falter. Thankfully, our Culture and investment in our people makes it thrive. If you take away the machines (Trucks, Trains, Planes, Ships, etc.) and all of the regulations and administration what do you have left? You have people, and people are what make the difference in any organization. At Challenger we put People First.

 

 

Geoff Topping

Director of Recruiting and Retention