A Principle-Based Company

Rio Grande is a principle-based company. This means we choose to conduct ourselves according to a set of principles, rather than by a rule book or a policy manual. Because we believe all individuals are capable and want to work according to internalized standards, we have spent a lot of time developing these principles.

Here are the principles we live by at Rio Grande:

1. Do what you agree to do.
2. Do not encroach on other people or their property.
3. Create an environment of trust.
4. Be open and honest.
5. Treat everyone with dignity and respect.
6. Express and value all feelings, concerns and ideas equally.
7. Exchange your best effort for the best effort of others.
8. Develop long-term relationships of mutual benefit (WIN/WIN).
9. Have fun!
10. Passionately develop and pursue shared and individual purposes and goals.
11. Strive to maintain a positive attitude at all times.
12. Maintain your power to succeed by choosing not to believe you are a victim.
13. Take responsibility for your part in each life experience, and learn from it.
14. Be successful by helping others to be successful, and accepting that help for yourself.
15. Lead by influence (using reason, benefits and inspiration) rather than by coercion (using force, fear and innuendo).

Our principles form the basis for decision-making throughout our organization. As we are confronted with decisions, whether they be how to relate to one another, how to resolve a customer problem, or how to pursue continuous improvement, we look to our principles and invariably find our answers there.

Participative Management

At Rio Grande, associates know that part of their job is to complete and continuously improve the tasks for which they are responsible. Another part of their job is to participate in the management of the company.

Every associate is a member of a team, and teams are comprised of associates from similar functional areas, or from cross-functional areas. Teams are responsible for identifying goals that are consistent with the strategic intent of the company, and then identifying how to accomplish them.

At Rio Grande, there are no supervisors, leads, managers, etc. But just because we don't have "management" people doesn't mean the business doesn't get managed! Part of coming to work at Rio Grande is learning new skills as a participative manager.

Our associates receive training and support in understanding the finances of the company; participate in developing the strategy and the measurements of strategic success; and learn how to do the hiring, goal-setting, counseling and other responsibilities that managers traditionally handle. All of these responsibilities are carried out by teams-with the support of a Coach-to learn, develop and refine those management skills.

All of our company decisions are developed by associates who know the work and listen to what our customers need. As a result, the high levels of participation throughout the organization enhance all problem-solving, quality improvements and change.