Ropella

What Should I Wear to an Interview?

Posted: 01/17/2012  Category: Career Transition, Video, Candidate FAQs, Ropella Answers,   ShareThis Article

What Should I Wear to an Interview?

What Perks Should I Push For?

Posted: 01/10/2012  Category: Transformation, Career Transition, Ropella Answers,   ShareThis Article

I know salary is part of a compensation plan, but what other incentives should I ask about before accepting a job?

The good news for employees is that compensation packages are moving toward diverse plans that cater to a growing need for a work-family balance.  It may be beneficial for you to sign on with a company that takes an “out of the box” approach by including some of these benefits in their plan:

• Life, dental, and eye insurance in addition to standard health insurance
• Discounted health club memberships
• Reimbursement for commuting costs
• On-site flu shots and smoking cessation classes

What Should I Do About Company Rumors?

Posted: 01/03/2012  Category: Transformation, Organizational Improvement, Ropella Answers,   ShareThis Article

I hear a lot of rumors from my co-workers that worry me and make me feel doubtful.  What can I do to ignore the water cooler gossip and focus on my work?

Whether global, local, or personal, fear shakes our confidence, causes stress, and keep us awake at night. Yet as scary as these situations may be, we often over-estimate the negatives and under-estimate our ability to deal with them.

• Rumors quickly become unspoken truths, which cause you to make decisions based on false data.  Unmask your fears by making a list of worst-case scenarios.
• Review personal resources and strengths, along with organizational competencies, that could be used as tools to combat the issues.
• Develop contingency plans based on your list of strengths to help you feel prepared in the chance that your worst-case scenarios come true.

What’s the Best Way to Lead in Crisis?

Posted: 12/28/2011  Category: Transformation, Organizational Improvement, General Management, Ropella Answers,   ShareThis Article

I find that my employees often look to me for answers…especially during times of uncertainty.  How do I react?

Your job as a leader is to eliminate fear and doubt by providing the vision and leadership your organization needs. Here are a few suggestions to help you manage risks, deal with uncertainty, and continue to prosper for years to come.

• Take Stock of Your Situation – Clearly state the current fear and brainstorm emergency plans to alleviate concern.
• See Where You Can Be of Service – Determine how your business can help create a more enriched, positive, supportive community.
• Imagine the Possibilities – Envision what the future can become.  Don’t be bound by the confines of today’s reality.
• Brainstorm Opportunities – Determine tangible action plans to solidify your visions.
• Align Your Vision with Your Action – Put your plans into action with crystal clear directives.

How Do I Handle Extreme Work Stress?

Posted: 12/20/2011  Category: Transformation, Ropella Answers,   ShareThis Article

Sometimes I find work to be very stressful and find myself getting upset and frustrated.  Do you have any advice on how to manage work stress?

When you become frustrated, angry, or upset, you are exhibiting an innate Fight or Flight Response.  The response was designed to protect you from bodily harm, but concentration is difficult when you are stuck in this survival mode.  Regain a focused, relaxed, positive attitude in three easy steps:

1. Acknowledge that you are in survival mode. When you become conscious of the state you are in, you have an easier time getting out of it.
2. Actively elicit a relaxation response. Use exercise, deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, or yoga to calm yourself.
3. Find a new perspective. Think about your best outcome, action steps, or helpful qualities to diffuse the situation.

How Can I Get Peak Performance for My Team?

Posted: 12/13/2011  Category: Assessing, Training, Organizational Improvement, General Management, Ropella Answers,   ShareThis Article

We are ramping up for an eventful year and I want to help my employees prepare. Is there anything I can do to ensure they perform at their peak? 

Achieving peak performance means becoming mentally fit.  Make sure your employees are ready for the challenge by preparing them mentally, just as you would prepare them physically if you were training them for a marathon.  Encourage them to exercise the following traits:

• Maintain exceptional concentration. Peak performers focus on what they want to happen, not what they are afraid will happen.
• Remain relaxed despite outside factors. High achievers quickly recover their balance in the face of stressful circumstances.
• Learn quickly. Top performers welcome feedback and integrate it rather than getting defensive.
• Make goals that include personal value. Greater fulfillment is obtained by people who choose clear, inspiring, and personally meaningful objectives.

Career Path Off Track?

Posted: 12/06/2011  Category: Assessing, Retention, Training, Transformation, Organizational Improvement, General Management, Ropella Answers,   ShareThis Article

How do I help employees reach their career goals?

Many busy professionals start out with definite career goals.  Years later they find themselves wondering what went wrong.  Hectic schedules, changing values, and pressures of a balanced lifestyle can detour career plans.  Here are a few guidelines to get employees on track:

• Map out a Plan: Ask employees to take stock of their current situation and think about where they want to be in one, five, and ten years. Encourage them to tap into their sources of inspiration to create goals that fuel the fire within.
• Let them Grow: Offer professional seminars and continuing education classes to help employees discover their specialties and talents.
• Encourage Balance: Remind employees that family, friendship, and personal time are equally important to achieving long-term success.

Team Leader or a Team Player?

Posted: 11/29/2011  Category: Retention, Transformation, Organizational Improvement, General Management, Ropella Answers,   ShareThis Article

Am I a team leader or a team player?

Even team leaders need to be team players, but there are certain attributes that make people feel more comfortable in a specific role.  No matter what role you play on a team, responsibilities should be clearly defined and all teammates should respect one another’s contributions.

• A team leader must be capable and willing to help members get through rough spots and take advantage of emerging opportunities.  Attributes include the ability to spearhead the effort, good communication skills, experience handling teamwork, and clear understanding of the project and team goals.
• Team players include people with diverse skills and personalities.  From cooperative “soldiers” who complete the tasks their handed to innovative “boundary spanners” who garner outside resources, a variety of personas are important. Attributes include reliability, constructive communication, active listening, cooperation and flexibility.

What’s Most Important in an Interview?

Posted: 11/08/2011  Category: Transformation, Career Transition, Ropella Answers,   ShareThis Article

Is it more important to listen or ask questions when I’m being interviewed?

As a job seeker, you want to learn about the company’s expectations and opportunities during an interview.  It is important to ask questions about the organization, the work environment, and measures of success.  It is also important to listen for what it is really like to work for the company:

• Listen carefully when employment policies and benefits packages are explained.  The details will verify whether or not your work style meshes with the company’s philosophy.
• Listen for the chance to ask follow-up questions.  Probing questions show you’re mentally engaged and enable you to validate information.
• Listen for what is not said.  As you ask questions, listen for underlying issues regarding the duties or expectations of the job.
 

Pay attention to key names.  Make note of information about people, industry challenges, or competitive issues to help you evaluate your acceptance decision.