Rising Above: How to Inspire Your Team to Do the Right Thing

At Felins, one of our core values is Rise Above – a commitment to always operating with honesty and integrity, even when no one is watching. It’s not just a tagline; it’s a mindset that drives our daily decisions, from how we treat our employees to how we serve our customers and work with our suppliers. We believe in always striving to do the right thing, and when faced with a choice, we choose to “round up” – to go beyond what’s expected and act with fairness and generosity. But what does it really mean to “Rise Above” in the workplace, and how can companies instill this mindset in their teams? Let’s explore how this core value can benefit not just your company, but everyone you interact with.

Going the Extra Mile for Our Customers

One of the ways we embody Rise Above is in our commitment to customer service. When a customer calls with a problem, we don’t just provide the bare minimum solution—we go above and beyond to ensure they have what they need to succeed.

Example: We recently had a customer experiencing a machine issue that threatened to shut down their entire production line. Instead of offering a standard troubleshooting guide, our team immediately shipped a temporary replacement machine overnight, ensuring they could keep operations running while we worked on an ultimate fix. This wasn’t required, but it was the right thing to do. That’s what Rise Above means to us.

How you can implement this in your team:

• Encourage your team to approach every customer problem as an opportunity to exceed expectations.
• Empower your employees to make executive decisions. This fosters a sense of ownership so that when an issue arises, employees will feel empowered to make decisions that prioritize the customer’s success, even if it requires going beyond their immediate responsibilities.

Why it works: All employees are capable of building trust and deepening relationships. When everyone is involved, you can increase long-term loyalty and boost brand reputation.

Taking Care of Our Employees

Integrity and fairness aren’t just values we apply externally—they’re deeply ingrained in how we treat our employees as well. At Felins, we “round up” when it comes to taking care of our team. Whether it’s offering additional flexibility during tough personal times, providing growth opportunities, or recognizing hard work with unexpected rewards, we believe in supporting our employees beyond just the basics.

Example: A great example of this is our response to an employee going through a family emergency. Rather than simply following standard leave policies, we ensured they had additional paid time off, provided resources to support them, and even had team members step in to cover their workload. Why? Because it was the right thing to do.

How you can implement this in your team:

• Recognize when employees need flexibility, whether due to personal challenges or workload stress, and provide them with the support they need.
• Go beyond just offering benefits, show genuine compassion and ensure employees have a sense of security and well-being.

Why it works: When employees feel valued and supported, they’re more engaged, motivated, and loyal. Empathy fosters a positive work culture that enhances both individual performance and team collaboration.

Building Strong, Trustworthy Supplier Relationships

Our commitment to Rise Above extends to our suppliers as well. We believe in fair and transparent dealings, even when it’s not the easiest or most convenient path.

Example: Recently, one of our suppliers delivered a shipment with an unexpected cost increase due to material shortages. Instead of pushing back aggressively or seeking out a cheaper, lower-quality alternative, we worked collaboratively to understand their challenges, negotiated a fair solution, and strengthened our partnership in the process.

How you can implement this in your team:

• Encourage open, honest communication with partners, even when things are difficult. Understanding their challenges can often lead to stronger, more long-lasting relationships.
• Approach business dealings with a mindset of collaboration and shared success—when both parties win, everyone benefits.

Why it works: By acting with integrity, we ensure long-term success for everyone involved.

A Culture of Integrity

At Felins, Rise Above is more than just words—it’s a way of life. Whether it’s standing behind our products, treating employees with respect and compassion, or fostering honest supplier relationships, we are committed to always doing the right thing, even when it’s not the easiest path. And by consistently “rounding up,” we create a culture of trust, excellence, and long-term success.

We challenge ourselves every day to Rise Above—and we encourage you to do the same. Remember to lead with empathy, support growth, and always choose fairness over convenience. What are some ways that your team Rises Above? What are some challenges? We’d love to hear what other teams are doing to rise to the occasion in the comments below.

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This blog is part 6 of 6 in our blog series: “At the Core of Our Values” – In this six-part exploration, we delve into the heart of organizational excellence, offering insights and practical wisdom for those eager to elevate their businesses. Whether you’re aiming to refine your company’s culture, boost employee morale, optimize processes, or cultivate a more resilient team, stay tuned as we share what’s worked for our company and our core compass. Follow us on our social media channels for upcoming leadership content like this!

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