In an industry often characterized by high turnover and operational challenges, RE Garrison Trucking stands out by fostering a culture that prioritizes both driver satisfaction and operational excellence. Through innovative approaches to onboarding, employee engagement, and company culture, they've developed systems that create lasting relationships with their drivers.
The Two-Employee Philosophy That Drives Success
At the heart of RE Garrison's approach is a simple yet powerful philosophy: there are only two types of employees in trucking. Tracy Rushing, Director of Safety and HR at RE Garrison, explains that every employee either drives a truck or supports someone who drives a truck.
This mindset transforms how support staff approach their daily tasks. Whether you're folding towels in the driver's lounge for 3 AM arrivals or preparing financial statements, every action directly impacts driver success. When employees understand their role in supporting drivers, it eliminates the concept of "insignificant tasks" and creates a unified sense of purpose.
Creating a Red Carpet Experience for Driver Onboarding
RE Garrison has revolutionized their driver onboarding process by treating it as a "red carpet event." This approach, inspired by Disney's customer service principles, includes several innovative elements:
Breaking bread together: Staff and new drivers share three meals a day during orientation
Personalized driver manager matching based on shared interests and personalities
Dedicated onboarding manager who serves as a consistent point of contact
Two full days of engaging orientation activities
Team building opportunities between new drivers
This comprehensive approach helps drivers feel valued from day one and reduces the time needed for them to acclimate to the company culture.
Beyond Happiness: Building a Culture of Joy and Satisfaction
Rushing emphasizes an important distinction between happiness and joy in the workplace. While happiness can be fleeting and circumstantial, joy comes from a deeper sense of purpose and satisfaction. This philosophy guides how RE Garrison approaches driver retention and support.
The company focuses on three key elements:
Clear expectations
Thorough education and training
Opportunities for achievement
By establishing these foundational elements, RE Garrison creates an environment where both drivers and support staff can find lasting satisfaction in their work.
Community Impact Through Garrison Gives Hope
RE Garrison extends their influence beyond traditional trucking operations through their Garrison Gives Hope initiative. This program features specially wrapped trucks supporting various causes:
Mental health awareness
Childhood cancer awareness
Military support
Autism awareness
Back the blue support
Breast cancer awareness
These trucks serve as moving billboards for important causes while giving drivers additional purpose in their daily routes. The program demonstrates how trucking companies can integrate community service into their core operations.
Leadership Lessons for Creating Positive Culture
Creating a positive company culture requires intentional leadership. Some key insights from RE Garrison's approach include:
Make learning engaging and fun - even for serious topics
Establish clear expectations while maintaining a supportive environment
Focus on building relationships between drivers and support staff
Celebrate achievements and milestones meaningfully
Integrate community service into daily operations
Looking Forward: The Impact of Culture on Driver Retention
In challenging times for the trucking industry, RE Garrison's approach offers valuable insights for companies looking to improve driver retention and satisfaction. Their success demonstrates that investing in company culture and driver support creates tangible benefits for both drivers and the bottom line.
This article was adapted from an interview with Tracy Rushing on the Hire Truckers podcast, hosted by Aaron Craddock.
Daniel Kelly
