If you’re already open, you know this — and if you’re getting ready to open, you’re about to find out: managing a team is one of the hardest, most complex, and most draining parts of running an indoor playground or play café.In this episode, I’m sharing 10 leadership habits that have helped me earn the respect and trust of my team — not because they had to follow me, but because they wanted to. These are lessons I’ve learned the hard way over the years, adapted specifically for our unique industry where most employees are part-time, often young, and juggling a lot outside of work.I’ll walk you through how I:Model the behavior I expectCommunicate clearly and address issues earlyListen to my team and act on their feedbackTake ownership publicly and coach privatelyEmpower instead of micromanageRecognize wins that build moraleStay calm when chaos hitsStay fair and consistentInvest in my team’s growth, even if they won’t stay foreverLead with humility and opennessBecause leadership in this industry isn’t about barking orders — it’s about setting the tone, building trust, and creating a culture that runs smoothly even when you’re not in the room.If you’re ready to create that kind of team — one that respects you, supports each other, and helps your business grow — this episode is for you.BLOG for this EpisodeYOUTUBE VIDEO for this EpisodePROFITABLE PLAY RESOURCES:Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers SocietyGetting Started With Your Play Cafe [YouTube Video Playlist]What's Working In The Indoor Play Industry 2025 GuideFund Your Indoor Play Business [Free Training]Indoor Play Courses & 1:1 Consulting WaitlistMichele’s InstagramMichele’s WebsitePlay Cafe Academy YouTube ChannelETSY Template ShopPrepare Your Indoor Playground For a RecessionPlay Cafe Academy & Play Makers SocietyQuestions and Support: [email protected] TOOLS & OTHER LINKS:Play Cafe Academy & Play Makers Society: http://bit.ly/3HES7fDQuestions and Support: [email protected] TOOLS:Play Space Brain (Mention This Podcast For Special Pricing!)Simplify and Scale with 50% OFF WellnessLivingActive Campaign Free TrialFree Demo of Aluvii All-In-One POS