THE PARKS WAY IS BUILT ON A FOUNDATION OF FIVE CORE VALUES:
COMMITMENT, CHARACTER, PERSONAL GROWTH, TEAMWORK AND URGENCY

COMMITMENT

 We show up every day, with a level of energy, passion and enthusiasm that elevates my attitude toward the goals, mission, and     vision of our organization. We stay hungry and motivated demonstrating hard work and a make-it-
 happen attitude.

We go above and beyond what is minimally expected of our roles in our organization. We are ready and willing to be in the trenches with and beside the team, hands dirty helping dig the ditch, regardless of position.

We are devoted to our core processes and procedures across the entire organization, knowing that our faithfulness in the ordinary leads to extraordinary. Following standard operating procedures ensures consistency and high performance.

CHARACTER

We will always do what is right; not what is easy, cheap, popular, or convenient. And we will do so without excuse and regardless of cost. We do what we say we are going to do when we say we are going to do it. If a commitment cannot be fulfilled, we notify others early and agree on a new commitment to be honored.

We are professional, respectful, fair and truthful in words and actions towards guests, fellow employees and the company. We must always consider how our actions affect our collective reputation, and we need to act in a way that brings honor to us all. Our appearance and conduct should reflect how we want others to view our company.

PERSONAL GROWTH

We will work as hard on ourselves as we do on our job, because our business will get better when we get better. Getting better is the only option. We are willing and able to change, to grow and improve. We continuously improve everything. “Because we’ve always done it that way” is not an acceptable reason.

We will maintain a habit of curiosity. A high-performance organization is a learning organization. We will stay curious. We will listen and be open minded to the opinions and reasoning of others. We will appreciate advice and feedback from others.

TEAMWORK

We know that the good of the team comes before the personal pride, comfort level, or agenda of any one individual. Worrying about who gets credit or taking things personally is counterproductive. We look forward to solving together, winning together, and having fun together with our teammates. We make sure every decision is based solely on advancing the team.

We make sure everyone involved is totally aware of anything pertinent to the team, the project, or the customer. Collaboration is part of the team’s DNA. We understand that collaboration and teamwork depend on trust and mutual respect.

We understand that a silent team isn’t a healthy team. We tell it like it is. We speak up freely and raise issues of importance to the team’s work. The ability to shoot straight overrides hierarchy on our team.

We celebrate achievements. The more we celebrate, the more we achieve and the more we grow. We regularly extend acknowledgment and appreciation in all directions throughout our organization. Catching and recognizing people doing things the Parks Way is very effective in shaping our culture. We are performance driven. While effort is appreciated, we reward and celebrate behaviors and performance results that align with the Parks Way.

 We are not part of a negative clique within the organization. We know that poor work environments – from drama clubs to gripping conventions – will sour the team as fast as anything. Rather, we are an integral part of the larger team committed to our company’s mission and values.

We understand that “Relationships at Work Matter” – we “lean in” with our working relationships because people matter. Nearly every misunderstanding can be traced to a difference in expectations. We learn to create mutually understood expectations in every situation. We seek to understand others’ perspective and approach issues with the right heart. When delivering difficult or complex messages, or in emotionally charged situations, we err on the side of speaking “live” rather than using e-mail or voicemail. We remember that how you communicate is as important as what we communicate. We choose courage over comfort. We build bridges, not walls, with others around us.

URGENCY

We will respond to the needs of our customers, employees, and associates in a responsible and timely manner. People expect us to respond to their questions and concerns quickly. Whether it is in person, on the phone, or by email, be a fanatic about response time. This includes simply acknowledging that we got the question and we’re on it, as well as keeping those involved continuously updated on the status of outstanding issues. Getting back to people promptly, including your teammates, is one way we demonstrate our sensitivity to their issues and how much we care about them.

We prioritize work and focus on our primary job responsibilities despite obstacles and difficulties to promote urgency in our company. We do not put off tomorrow, what needs to be completed today.