The RockStep Way
At RockStep Capital, we have been able to maximize our impact by assembling a team of extraordinary people working together in a high-performance culture.
Named for the Way We Move
Rock step is a dance move. In couples dancing, it is when you switch directions on count 7 and 8 (one, two, three, one, two, three, rock-step).
Like the rock step in dance, we’ve designed our company to be nimble and switch directions as the industry’s music changes.
Our agility allows us to employ innovative and creative strategies for retail space in our portfolio properties to drive success for the asset, community, and our investors.
Our Guiding Philosophy
The 25 "Rock Steps" describe the daily behaviors that define our culture.
We call it: THE ROCKSTEP WAY.
These aren’t mere buzzwords, it is who we are, and we are dead serious about behaving in ways that drive a high-performance team. This is The RockStep Way – the core behaviors that drive our culture.
About RockStep Start Investing1. DO THE RIGHT THING, ALWAYS.
Demonstrate an unwavering commitment to doing the right thing in every action you take and in every decision, you make, especially when no one’s looking. Always tell the truth, no matter the consequences. If you make a mistake, own up to it, apologize, and make it right. Be impeccable with your word.
2. PRACTICE A+NESS.
Demonstrate a passion for excellence and take pride in the quality of everything you do. Missing just one detail can have an enormous impact on a project or a report. Pay attention to the details and be a fanatic about accuracy and precision. Have a healthy disdain for mediocrity. Good is not good enough. Always ask yourself, “Is this my best work?” Operate superbly.
3. BE PUNCTUAL.
Be on time for all appointments, phone calls, and meetings. Five minutes early is on time, and on time is late. Treat deadlines as sacred promises. Pay bills, deliver reports, and meet obligations on time every time. Being punctual and meeting deadlines are powerful ways to demonstrate your trustworthiness.
4. BE A FANATICAL ABOUT RESPONSE TIME.
Respond to questions and concerns quickly, whether it’s in person, on the phone, or by e-mail. This includes simply acknowledging that we got the question and we’re “on it,” keeping those involved continuously updated on the status of outstanding issues and confirming when a task has been completed.
5. PRACTICE BLAMELESS PROBLEM SOLVING.
Demonstrate a relentless solution focus, rather than pointing fingers or dwelling on problems. Identify lessons learned and use those lessons to improve ourselves and our processes so we don’t make the same mistake twice. Get smarter with every mistake. Learn from every experience.
6. BE PREPARED.
Do your homework before calls and meetings. Know what you can about others and issues that may be of concern to them so you can be in a position to be proactive. Anticipate scenarios before they arise and be ready to implement your action plans when needed. Preventing issues is always more effective than fixing them.
7. LISTEN GENEROUSLY.
Listening is more than simply “not speaking.” Give others your undivided attention. Be present and engaged. Quiet the noise in your head and let go of the need to agree or disagree. Suspend your judgment and be curious to know more, rather than jumping to conclusions. Above all, listen to understand.
8. SPEAK STRAIGHT.
Speak honestly in a way that helps to make progress. Say what you mean, and be willing to ask questions, share ideas, or raise issues that may cause conflict when it’s necessary for team success. Be courageous enough to say what needs to be said. Address issues directly with those who are involved or affected.
9. HONOR COMMITMENTS.
There’s no better way to earn people’s trust than to be true to your word. Do what you say you’re going to do, when you say you’re going to do it. If a commitment can’t be fulfilled, notify others early and agree on a new deliverable to be honored.
10. BE RELENTLESS ABOUT IMPROVEMENT.
Continuously re- evaluate every aspect of your job to find ways to improve. Don’t be satisfied with the status quo. “Because we’ve always done it that way” is not a reason. Find ways to get things done better, faster, and more efficiently.
11. GET CLEAR ON EXPECTATIONS.
Create clarity and avoid misunderstandings by discussing expectations upfront. Set expectations for others and ask when you’re not clear on what they expect of you. End all meetings with clarity about action items, responsibilities, and due dates.
12. BE EASY TO WORK WITH.
Find ways to make working with you easier. Provide simple and complete instructions. When in doubt, do more rather than pushing the work back to them. Streamline our processes. Be ridiculously helpful.
13. “BRING IT” EVERY DAY.
Have a passion for what we do and be fully engaged. Make the most of each day by approaching every task with energy, focus, purpose, and enthusiasm. Work with a sense of urgency to get things done.
14. BE TRANSPARENT.
With appropriate respect for confidentiality, share information freely through-out our organization. Share the good and the bad. The more people know, the better we can collaborate. Learn to ask yourself, “Who else needs to know this?”.
15. INVEST IN RELATIONSHIPS.
Everything we do is built on trust and trust is built on relationships. Make smart decisions that enhance long-term relationships. Show a deep appreciation even for those with whom we don’t do business. Strong relationships enable us to more successfully work through difficult issues and challenging times.
16. PROVIDE SOLUTIONS.
Respond to every situation by looking for solutions, rather than explaining why it can’t be done. Gather the relevant facts, develop options, and recommend the best approach. Think things through. Be resourceful and show initiative by coming to the table with solutions.
17. BE OBSESSIVE ABOUT ORGANIZATION.
Be organized and plan your work for maximum efficiency. Use an effective task management system for prioritizing and tracking outstanding issues and responsibilities. Be thoughtful about your schedule, and have a game plan for your calls, your tasks, and your workday. Do the most important things first and quickly.
18. SHOW MEANINGFUL APPRECIATION.
Recognizing people doing things right is more effective than pointing out when they do things wrong. Regularly extend meaningful acknowledgment and appreciation — in all directions throughout our organization.
19. BE A BRAND AMBASSADOR.
We’re all responsible for, and benefit from, the RockStep image and reputation. Consider how your actions affect our collective reputation and represent RockStep with distinction in all your dealings.
20. BE POSITIVE.
You have the power to choose your attitude. Choose to be optimistic and see the possibilities. Give people the benefit of the doubt. Optimism creates energy and energy creates success.
21. TAKE PRIDE IN YOUR APPEARANCE.
Dressing professionally and keeping your work area clean and orderly shapes others’ perception of you and your orientation to quality work. Pay attention to the image you present because you’ll never have a second chance to make a first impression.
22. DON’T BE A JERK.
Be a professional at all times and keep your emotions under control. Advocating forcefully on behalf of our clients doesn’t require manipulation, condescension, foul language, or temper tantrums. This applies to investors, tenants, co-workers, subs, suppliers, and vendors.
23. BE A CAREFUL STEWARD OF OUR ASSETS.
Protect the investor. Learn to ask yourself, “Would I spend this if it were my own money? Do we really need this? Is there a more cost-efficient way to accomplish the job?”.
24. KEEP FAMILY FIRST.
Take care of your family and your health. As crazy as work can become, never lose sight of family as a priority. The healthier we are, the happier and more productive we become as well.
25. KEEP THINGS FUN.
While our passion for excellence is real, remember that the world has bigger problems than the daily challenges that make up our work. Stuff happens. Keep perspective. Don’t take things personally or take yourself too seriously. Laugh every day.