BUSINESS MANAGEMENT
roofing, but it still exists. Crews that joke around 
and compete amicably routinely beat those that 
don’t, in my experience. Salespeople who really 
engage with clients have, in my experience, 
closed more deals. 
These things don’t just happen. These are the 
results of an organizational culture that prioritizes 
employee morale.
Bringing Play to Roofing (Without Losing 
Control)
I’m not saying that you should convert your 
warehouse into a bouncy house. In this context, 
play refers to purposefully incorporating moments 
of humor, inventiveness, and independence into 
your workplace culture rather than just having 
fun. 
Such as:
1.	Gamify goals and challenges
2.	Use microbreaks to reset energy
3.	Lighten the leadership tone (strategically)
4.	Celebrate wins creatively
5.	Encourage creativity—even in the shop
From “I’m Good, You’re Bad” to “We’re 
Good”
I’ve heard the “I’m good, you’re bad” mentality 
as one of the most poisonous trends observed in 
companies. Every department believes that they 
are doing well and that the others are failing. 
This way of thinking leads to blame-shifting, and 
passive resentment. 
Resetting this dynamic can be achieved by 
incorporating play into your culture. It makes 
coworkers more human. It serves as a reminder 
that we are all on the same team. Additionally, 
it provides an incentive for people to arrive as 
more than just warm bodies punching a clock. 
The end result? A business where employees 
care more, stay longer, and contribute more. 
And that kind of culture is a huge competitive 
advantage in a field that is experiencing a 
shortage of trained workers and rising expenses.
Final Thoughts
Our work is hard. The stakes are really high. But 
for precisely this reason, we must include times 
of connection and lightness. Play enhances the 
sustainability of serious work rather than taking 
time away from it. 
We don’t have to be entertainers to be leaders. 
However, we do need to establish spaces where 
individuals feel engaged, comfortable, and 
inspired enough to be their best selves. One of 
the easiest and most underutilized methods to 
accomplish that is through play. 
I’ll leave you with this if you’re still not convinced: 
when was the last time your team laughed 
together and still accomplished more than you 
anticipated? It wasn’t a coincidence. Play was 
doing what it was supposed to.
Experienced Counsel and 
Determined Professionals
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Rely On for 
Effective 
Representation
www. mrca. org  —  Midwest Roofer
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