Following true north: Celebrating our Compass Award winners

At Populus Group, few recognitions carry as much meaning as the Compass Award.

More than an award, it is a symbol of what it means to live our culture every day. Compass Award recipients are recognized because they consistently champion our Culture Code, model our values, and help hold our community accountable to the standards that make PG unique. They are our cultural MVPs, leading by example and helping guide fellow employees along the way.

Why a compass?

In keeping with our internal climbing theme, a compass represents direction and guidance. It points us toward our destination and helps us find our way when we drift off course. That's exactly the role Compass Award winners play within our community.

They serve as the "true north" of behavioral excellence at PG, demonstrating what it looks like to build trust, uphold our values, and support others in doing the same. Whether through mentoring, coaching, or having courageous conversations grounded in care and accountability, Compass winners embody the leadership behaviors that strengthen our culture. Through the lens of The Speed of Trust, they demonstrate the behaviors that build connection and high performance. They not only talk about our values, they bring them to life!

Why traditions matter

Strong cultures aren't built by accident. They are reinforced through meaningful symbols, stories, and traditions that remind us of who we are and how we work together. The Compass Award and annual Compass Trip are powerful examples of this principle in action.

In Patrick Lencioni's The Advantage, Discipline Four emphasizes the importance of reinforcing organizational clarity. The Compass tradition helps do exactly that by continually reminding our community of our behavioral expectations. It reinforces how we behave: upholding our Culture Code, finding a better way, and being passionate to succeed while remaining humble in our accomplishments. When we celebrate Compass winners, we celebrate the very behaviors that define the PG experience.

A tradition more than a decade strong

The Compass Trip has been a cherished part of the PG experience for more than 10 years. Over the years, Compass Crew members have traveled across the country, exploring destinations such as New Mexico, Oregon, Maryland, Maine, Tennessee, Utah, and California. Each trip has provided a unique opportunity for reflection, connection, and culture-building.

This year, the Compass Crew is headed to Louisville, Kentucky, continuing a tradition that has become an important part of how we celebrate and strengthen our culture.

More than a reward trip

While the Compass Trip is certainly a well-earned reward, it serves a much larger purpose. The trip functions as our annual third-quarter culture-focused QBR, bringing together some of our strongest culture champions to discuss the current and future state of our organization. During their time together, the group engages in thoughtful conversations about what's working, where opportunities exist, and what areas deserve focused attention moving forward.

The discussions are honest, constructive, and often challenging in the best way possible. Participants identify gaps, debate ideas, and help shape priorities that influence our culture in the year ahead. Of course, the trip is also an opportunity to strengthen relationships, create lasting memories, and share unique experiences together. The combination of meaningful work and genuine connection is what makes the Compass Trip so special.

Throughout the year, the Compass Crew meets monthly to discuss stand out climbers and progress of goals. You will also see them giving culture updates on our company-wide meetings, sitting in trainings like “Navigating Difficult Conversations” and “Speak from the Heart”, and being veterans to new employees.

Welcoming a new compass crew member

Each year, we are excited to welcome new members into this distinguished group of culture champions. This year, we are proud to welcome Ethan Long, Senior HR Manager, to the Compass Crew.

Congratulations, Ethan! We look forward to the valuable perspective, passion, and commitment to culture that you'll bring to this year's conversations and experiences.

Charting the course together

Culture isn't defined by a single event or initiative. It is shaped daily by the choices we make, the behaviors we model, and the standards we uphold. Our Compass Award winners remind us what great looks like. They help guide us forward, challenge us to be better, and ensure that no matter how much we grow, we remain grounded in the values that make Populus Group special.

Here's to our Compass Crew, past and present, for helping us stay pointed toward true north 🧭🏔️