Values in Action: How Service, Trust, and Relationships Drive Success at Rather & Kittrell

The prize was a $25 savings bond, and I was determined to win, even if it meant missing my favorite television show. I was in fourth grade and preparing an entry into a city-wide poster contest. My father was there at the kitchen table with me, making sure my work was done to his standards, down to the very last detail. He instructed me on how to use a yardstick to ensure lines would be straight for the lettering, and only to use a light pencil to draw the line since it had to be erased later. The stencils and artwork were to be cut and glued correctly because everything had to be aligned with precision.

Having schoolteachers as parents, I obviously experienced their strong desire to teach processes and procedures, as shown during my poster preparation. But more importantly, they showed me how to care for others. Whether it was by cooking meals for people who were ill, sharing out of the overabundance of our garden, tutoring students after hours, teaching adult literacy, or simply packing Christmas gifts for their students, my parents were always thinking of others. Through the years they instilled in me the same desire, a motivation to do everything with a service-oriented mindset.

My parents and their love for assisting others came to my mind recently when I was humbled to win our annual Values in Action award for 2024. This award has been presented yearly to a long line of team members who have exhibited the standards of behavior Rather & Kittrell most value. These values guide how the Rather & Kittrell team work for our clients and the community.

These values are:

Every quarter, members of our team have the opportunity to share their observations of co-workers on how they display these values daily. Here are a few random examples of past words of gratitude and appreciation from one team member to another:

• She has exhibited the core value of EXCELLENCE. She gives every task her all and brings solutions and answers to very complex problems.

• She has exhibited the core value of RELATIONSHIPS. As I hear her pick up the phone, she sounds very calm and friendly, and we hear great things about her that clients love!

• He exhibits the core value of ATTITUDE as he maintains an upbeat demeanor with those around him.

• He has exhibited the core value of TRUST. He is always teaching ways that he builds trust with every client. He always does what he says.

• She exhibits the core values of SERVICE by always being a team player. She possesses a lot of knowledge about the day-to-day operations of RK and provides guidance positively and patiently.

The Rather & Kittrell mission statement also reveals how service should be the standard for not only what we do daily but on how it is done: To empower individuals, families, and institutions to achieve their life and financial goals by serving as their most trusted advisor. We will provide our clients with clarity, confidence, simplicity, and peace of mind.

Our team is committed to upholding these values and ideals because we believe they are the foundation of trust, partnerships, and long-term success for our clients. By steadily prioritizing integrity, transparency, and dedication, we work daily to ensure our clients receive the highest level of service and support.

Sadly, both my parents have passed but I believe they would be proud to see that I am in a position that provides me the opportunity to work every day doing something I love to do – to serve.

By the way, I did win that poster contest, thanks to Dad.

Lisa Nicely, PHR® is an Administrative Assistant with Rather & Kittrell.