How Peeling Potatoes Creates High-Performance Cultures
Every company says they care about people.
But when was the last time you saw your CEO doing dishes after serving meals at a homeless shelter? Or your CRO peeling potatoes next to your recruiters?
At SearchPros, that’s not a rare sight. It’s kind of our thing. We don’t just talk about culture; we roll up our sleeves and live it. And you know what? Those moments are magic.
There’s something about seeing your executives sweating in hair nets that instantly humanizes the workplace. Somewhere between peeling the potatoes and serving the meals, something amazing happens. We reconnect with teamwork, gratitude, and what it really means to be in the people business.
It reminds everyone, from intern to founder, that we’re all in this together.
Why Giving Back Gives More Than It Takes
At SearchPros, we’ve built a company culture that loves to win. We celebrate big. We give away cars at five years. We cruise the Caribbean together.
Those are what I call the luxury of performance, the rewards of excellence.
But here’s the twist; the real fuel behind all that success is gratitude. And nothing teaches gratitude quite like serving your community side by side.
When you volunteer together, when you witness your teammates laughing, crying, and lifting up others, it changes how you see each other. Suddenly, the person you only knew from Zoom meetings becomes someone who hands out meals with you, cracks jokes while packing food boxes, and high-fives you because you just finished sorting 500 pounds of onions. (pictures above).
We’ve seen firsthand that service together improves job satisfaction and retention.
Serving Your Community Side by Side: The Culture Glue
You can read all the culture books you want, but nothing bonds a team faster than serving food to your neighbors alongside your executive team. Or watching your CEO scrub dishes while debating the best Thanksgiving side dish (spoiler: it’s the pumpkin pie).
Serving together strips away titles, humanizing leadership. It reminds everyone that beneath the job titles, the goals, and the spreadsheets, we’re just people trying to make a difference.
And that shared experience of gratitude, that’s what makes people want to stay, grow, and give their best. Because you don’t just work for people who serve beside you, you believe in them.
Company Culture by the Numbers
When it comes to measuring company culture, the proof is in the pudding (or the pumpkin pie!).
Here’s how a service-based culture has delivered for SearchPros:
- 7-year streak as a Staffing Industry Analysts “Best Place to Work”
- 32% year-over-year revenue growth
- Zero debt
- > 70% of SearchPros’ internal team has been with the company for more than seven years
- Zero attrition during client transitions – ever
These stats are a testament to SearchPros’ strong culture and retention programs.
Volunteering Together: The Real Competitive Advantage
So yes, SearchPros has perks. We have cars. We have cruises. We have trophies and awards. But the real magic happens when we trade the luxury of performance for the humility of service.
When we show up as humans first, as teammates second, and as leaders last, we remember what staffing is really about: helping people find their next step in life. And, honestly, that’s the kind of return on investment you can’t measure on a dashboard.
So, to every company out there chasing culture and employee engagement, start with service. Let your people see their leaders doing dishes. Let your CRO peel a few potatoes. It’ll change your company more than any strategy session ever could.
Because gratitude builds teams. Community service builds connection. And those two things, that’s the real luxury of performance, powered by purpose.
So, roll up your sleeves, fill your hearts, and enjoy the competitive advantage that comes with a culture founded in service.
Connect with a Team that Leads Through Service
Whether you’re looking for exceptional talent, your next career move, or a company that shares your passion for purpose, SearchPros is here for you. Contact us today to connect with a team that believes success begins with service.
