Category: Announcement & Hot Topics

Our company culture is shaped by values, traditions, behaviors, and results—but it’s also defined by great character. The way we treat one another, communicate, and hold ourselves accountable directly affects not only the quality of our work but also the strength and success of our entire team.

At the core of a strong culture is a shared commitment to growth and high standards. One way we assess our culture is by how much time we spend coaching on character, addressing issues like unprofessionalism and underperformance. Toxic traits aren’t ignored; they’re identified and addressed because they impact everything.

 Identifying the Red Flags

People with great character make better decisions, overcome more obstacles, and consistently deliver better results. Toxic character traits, on the other hand, create unnecessary friction, break trust, and drain morale. Even one person operating with a toxic mindset can impact the entire operation, slowing down progress, damaging relationships, and compromising safety. These are the attitudes and behaviors we refuse to normalize:

• Resentment & Contempt – These attitudes poison relationships and block growth. They foster division instead of unity.
• Anger & Aggression – There’s no room for intimidation or volatility in a professional setting.
• Selfishness & Narcissism – Trucking requires teamwork and mutual respect. An “all about me” mindset undermines collaboration.
• Dishonesty & Duplicity – Integrity is non-negotiable. Anything less puts our reputation and our relationships at risk.

Striving for Something Better

We actively promote and reward the traits that strengthen both individuals and the team. These aren’t just preferences—they’re the foundation of who we are:

• Gratitude & Support – Appreciating each other and offering help when needed builds a foundation of trust.
• Grace & Assertiveness – We aim to be kind, confident, and direct when necessary.
• Care & Humility – We look out for one another and always stay open to learning and feedback.
• Transparency & Forthcomingness – Being honest and clear in communication avoids misunderstandings and builds respect.

These values shape how we work and how we win—together.

Growth Is Always on the Table

No one is expected to be perfect, but everyone is expected to grow. We believe in coaching and investing in our people. That said, growth must be paired with accountability. If toxic behaviors go unaddressed, they become a liability to the team, and that’s something we can’t afford. We’re building more than a business—we’re building a workplace people are proud to be part of. That means living our values daily—not just in what we do, but in how we do it. Let’s continue raising the standard and grow and improve together.

Whether you’re just starting your journey as a truck driver or have been on the road for years, you are bound to encounter adversity along the way. From inclement weather and tight schedules to breakdowns, every driver faces challenges. What sets a true professional apart isn’t avoiding adversity, but how they respond when it hits.

1. Maintain Composure Under Pressure

It’s easy to get overwhelmed, especially when faced with an unexpected roadblock—be it heavy traffic, a road closure, or a mechanical issue. It’s natural to feel stressed, but remember: keeping your cool is crucial. Reacting impulsively or letting frustration take over can lead to poor decision-making. Whether you’re new to the industry or a veteran, always take a few deep breaths before reacting to adversity. It will help you think clearly and make better decisions.

2. Prioritize Safety Above Everything Else

When facing adversity, professional drivers never cut corners. Whether it’s bad weather, fatigue, or challenging road conditions, they rely on smart, informed decisions and strict safety protocols—no matter how routine or inconvenient they may seem. At the end of the day, nothing matters more than arriving at your destination safely, even if it means showing up a little later than planned.

3. Effective Communication: Key to Managing Adversity

If you’re dealing with a challenging situation—like a mechanical failure, an accident, or a traffic jam—update your dispatcher regularly, so everyone is on the same page. Good communication can reduce stress, improve problem-solving efficiency, and lead to quicker resolutions. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Whether you’re new or seasoned, there’s no harm in seeking advice or assistance from fellow drivers or dispatchers. We’re all in this together.

4. Embrace Problem-Solving

Truckers are often on their own when problems strike. A professional sees adversity as a challenge to overcome, not a reason to complain. The key is to stay resourceful and solution-oriented. For instance, keeping tools, extra supplies, maps, and an emergency plan on hand can make a big difference. The more prepared you are, the better you’ll handle situations like mechanical issues, route changes, or missed delivery windows.

5. Learn and Grow from Every Setback

No driver is perfect, and we all make mistakes at some point in our careers. A true professional learns from their experiences, regardless of how difficult or frustrating they may seem at the time. Reflect on what went wrong and think about how you can approach the same situation differently next time. Even after years of driving, there’s always room for growth. Learning never stops, and every challenge is an opportunity to become a better driver. The Drive MK App is the perfect tool to share knowledge and learn from other drivers.

6. Represent the Industry with Pride

You may be new to trucking, but you’re already part of an essential industry. The way you handle adversity reflects not only on your professionalism but also on the trucking industry as a whole. Being courteous at rest stops, maintaining a positive attitude, and adhering to industry standards helps elevate the profession’s reputation.

As a seasoned driver, you’re a role model for newer drivers. When you face adversity, others are watching how you respond. Demonstrating professionalism and patience—even in the face of challenges—helps create a positive image for the entire industry.

Professionalism is contagious. When one driver leads by example, others often follow.

Conclusion: Professionalism is Key to Overcoming Adversity

Whether you’re new to the road or a seasoned pro, adversity is inevitable—but how you handle it is what sets successful drivers apart. With the right mindset, preparation, and professionalism, every challenge becomes an opportunity to grow. Stay calm, prioritize safety, communicate effectively, and approach problems with a solution-focused attitude. No two days in trucking are the same, but a professional mindset helps you navigate even the toughest situations—and come out a better driver because of it.

Drivers for Marvin Keller are expected to have a strong moral and ethical character; it’s part of our culture. The best drivers and employees have high moral character, and those who do are the most successful and most likely to advance in their careers and be good leaders. What does having a moral and ethical character mean? To have a strong moral character is to have a set of positive traits and behavioral characteristics that reflect an ethical code of fairness and responsibility while acting with integrity. These people consistently make better decisions than those with undesirable traits. Here are some examples of moral character traits.

• Honesty: Honesty is truthfulness in word and deed. An honest person doesn’t deceive others or manipulate facts. They admit when they’re wrong and work to improve themselves.
• Personal Responsibility: Having accountability for your actions and the decisions you make is necessary. A moral person takes responsibility for their role on the job or in personal situations and works to remedy mistakes without getting angry or deflecting blame.
• Respect for Others: Having respect for others involves acknowledging another’s worth and treating them with courtesy and dignity even when you disagree. You don’t always have to agree with someone, but those with strong morals understand that sometimes you just have to agree to disagree.
• Trustworthiness: Simply put, people can rely on you to do what needs done when it
  needs done.
• Courage/Integrity: Those with moral characters exhibit the courage to stand by their convictions and defend them. At MK, we will always defend our culture of values. A moral person has integrity, a strong code of morals and ethics that they will not compromise. It often takes courage in the face of adversity to avoid the temptation to cut corners or compromise one’s values.
• Kindness/Humility: No one wants to work with an unpleasant, arrogant person. Treating others with kindness is imperative in the workplace, where a toxic person can ruin the work environment for everyone. Simply offering to help or showing genuine understanding for others can make a world of difference.
• Positivity: When you look at everything in a positive light, you are opening yourself up to greater problem-solving ability. Each challenge is an opportunity, not a roadblock.

Those with strong moral character exhibit the gamut of positive traits, not just one or two. In our never-ending quest for self-improvement, we must take a hard look at our own behavior and examine what we need to change. If you see the above list and find that you are lacking in some of these traits, never fear. Sometimes all it takes to improve is to learn and become aware of our own behaviors before we can improve.

Being a professional driver is more than just obtaining a CDL, hooking a trailer, and holding a steering wheel. It’s a complete set of skills and a range of knowledge that takes time and practice to hone. Obtaining a well-rounded set of skills and always learning new ones is what turns an inexperienced rookie into a seasoned veteran

• The basic trucking skills, considered “hard skills” are absolutely necessary to properly haul a load.
• Vehicle Operation and Maneuvering skills.
• Safety and Compliance regulations.
• Route Planning and Navigation: veteran truckers probably remember the days of getting out a Rand McNally road map to plan their trips; these days technology has made things a lot easier with commercial truck-specific GPS devices. It’s still helpful to know how to use a paper map in case technology fails.
• Cargo Handling and Securement: It’s absolutely imperative to know how to properly secure cargo. If cargo is not properly loaded or secured, it can cause damage to the cargo or even cause the trailer to tip when turning, which has happened at MK before when a trailer was not properly loaded. If you are hauling a trailer that doesn’t appear to be safely loaded or secured, do NOT leave with it. Always reach out to your DM for instructions.
• Vehicle Maintenance and Inspections: use your checklist, know what the DOT is looking for when they inspect so you know what to pay attention to. Ensure you cover all the bases before you leave so you can be sure you’ll pass a DOT inspection.
• Logbook and Document Management: ELD has made logging much less cumbersome. The days of paper and pencil logging and mailing in trip packs has been replaced with the press of a button on a tablet. It’s still important to know the HOS rules to maintain compliance.
• Hazmat: regulations related to hazmat shipments cause extra scrutiny in cases of inspections. As MK hauls hazmat loads, it’s necessary to know what placards to use, how the BOL should be marked, and, as always, secure with at least two straps on the back!

To really be the all-star trucker, it’s helpful to have the “soft skills” to be the consummate professional.

• Time Management: drivers must have the ability to plan and prioritize tasks, manage their schedule, balance driving hours with rest, and meet appointments. It takes discipline and practice, but the best drivers always make sure they plan ahead and have enough time.
• Communication and Customer Service Skills: Having clear and effective communication and being positive and professional with Driver Managers, Customers, Shippers, and Receivers is not just good customer service; it also benefits the driver. When you treat people well, they tend to do the same in kind, making your job and your life easier.
• Problem Solving and Stress Management: Every driver knows that trucking isn’t perfect. Problems arise constantly and it’s important to be able to remain calm and focused under pressure. When unexpected situations occur, remaining calm and being able to think quickly, and be resourceful in order to solve challenges is paramount. Having patience when things go wrong or delays occur sets one apart.

• Adaptability: Being flexible and able to adapt to changes is the essence of intelligence.
• Attention to Detail: Drivers should be focused on accuracy and competence of job duties, including safety protocols and cargo and paperwork handling, among other things. Accuracy and diligence prevent issues down the road.

Besides the above skills, it’s also extremely helpful to have some relative tech savvy.

• GPS & ELD Proficiency: It always helps to learn how to correctly log all your activity on your ELD and use your navigation devices.
• Mobile App Usage – Most customers and brokers now require tech usage for tracking, paperwork scanning, etc. MK has also taken advantage of new technologies and the proliferation of apps by using the MK Drive App as an all-in-one information and ELD hub. You can get almost anything you now need just from your phone. Knowing how to be proficient with technology gives you a leg up. It helps to always be open to new technology as improvements and requirements will always change.
• Basic Mechanical Knowledge: Owner/Operators know this better than anyone else; having a basic working knowledge of truck mechanics can help save lots of time and money on the road. Being able to perform minor repairs or fix problems with your truck without having to wait for a
  mobile repair unit and spending hundreds or thousands of dollars on relatively simple repairs is empowering and satisfying.

Marvin Keller encourages every driver to gain new skills and further their professional career growth. Don’t hesitate to reach out to your manager if you would like help with advancement.