The Tulsa Boys' Home provides hope and healing for some of the most troubled teenage boys. The boys show up really broken, and the amazing staff help them heal and get them pointed in the right direction. The campus is state-of-the-art, which includes a gymnasium, on campus school, and Equine Program for all the boys. The staff that works with these boys work in a culture where they feel appreciated, respected and valued.
Diving Into the Values at Tulsa Boys' Home
The staff at the Tulsa Boys' Home work in a culture where they feel supported every step of the way. It's important to management to create this type of culture, as they are so proud of the people who work there.
We sat down with Executive Director Gregg Conway to see why the culture at the Tulsa Boys' Home is so supportive.
Keeping it Respectful
A No-Drama Culture
After 101 years of being a company, it's safe to say the Tulsa Boys' Home has figured out what employees want most in a work environment. The no-drama culture at the boys' home has led to a culture of people who support and respect each other. "We have an amazing and incredible staff. We're just really blessed," Conway said. "They are amazing people who do great work."
The goal of the Tulsa Boys' Home is to create a culture where the staff comes to work day-in and day-out feeling recognized and valued because then you feel fulfilled and good. "My hope is during my tenure we're recognized for creating a culture where all staff feels appreciated, respected and valued," Conway said.
"The Tulsa Boys' Home is a wonderful place to work in many ways. Being part of this organization for 28 years, I have been surrounded by wonderful staff, volunteers, board members and many other people who give their time and energy to assist in healing and giving these boys a sense of hope for their future," said Mike Murphy, COO.
"The Tulsa Boys' Home allows all staff the opportunity to advance within the company," he said. "I believe the Tulsa Boys' Home culture is based on respect, trust, and teamwork." One of the ways the home creates this supportive culture is through the transparency it keeps with its staff.
Keeping it Transparent
Where Honesty is the Key to Success
Each month, the boys' home conducts a staff meeting to talk about everything that's been going on and what is expected in the future. Conway has found that being honest with his employees is the best way to ensure there's no disconnect between management and staff.
"It really is a culture of transparency at every level," Conway said. "This creates a culture of treating people with dignity. And when people make mistakes from time to time, it's not the end of the world. We don't have that here."
Keeping it Worthwhile
Hamming up the Benefits
At the Tulsa Boys' Home, management shows their support in lots of different ways. One way is through the incredibly fun benefits they bless their staff with each year.
Unique to the Tulsa Boys' Home, they make sure the staff have the most important piece to a memorable Christmas dinner: ham. That's right, every year each staff member receives a spiral-sliced ham for Christmas. In addition, they receive other bonuses around the holiday season.
This year, staff members will receive an all-weather jacket with the boys' home logo on it. Also enjoyed every year, staff receive a financial bonus. Specific to this year, the bonus is going to be robust because earlier this year a big flood evacuated the home for 11 days. Because of the staff's hard work during that time, management really wanted to reward them for their hard work.
In addition to the rewarding work experience that comes with working at the Tulsa Boys' Home, it's easy to see that management works really hard to ensure the staff feels appreciated.
