Let’s be real for a second — not every trade partner walks onto the jobsite with the same mindset about cleanliness, safety, or even keeping up with technology. And as superintendents, it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking, “They just don’t care” or “They’ve always done it this way.” But here’s the thing: part of our job is to elevate the people around us. That means all construction industry trades, not just the ones who make our lives easier.
Raising the Standard Without Burning Bridges
I’ve seen it time and time again: a crew rolls in, sets up shop, and before lunch there’s trash, cords tangled like spaghetti, and tools scattered like confetti. Instead of losing your mind or writing them off, this is the moment to lead. Walk the space with them. Point out what “a clean jobsite” looks like. Be consistent — don’t wait until the area is a mess to say something. Set the tone early, hold everyone to the same expectation, including yourself, and more often than not, you’ll see a change at the jobsite.
Elevating the construction industry trades starts with giving them a clear picture of what a safe, clean, and efficient jobsite should look like. Then back it up by holding the standard every single day. Not through yelling or threats — but through accountability, respect, and follow-up.
Communication is a Skill — So Practice It
We can’t expect people to rise if we’re not clearly showing them how. Communication is a tool just as critical as any drill or saw on-site. If you’ve got trades constantly working off outdated drawings, maybe it’s not because they’re lazy — maybe they don’t know how to get into Procore or even realize there was an update.
As superintendents, we need to take the time to teach — not just tell. Pull the foreman aside, walk them through where to find the latest drawings on Procore. Show them how to set up notifications or where to check revision clouds. That extra 10 minutes can prevent 10 days of rework. And don’t just stop there — build a culture where the construction industry trades expect to use the latest tech because it’s normal.
Paper is Dead — Help the Construction Industry Trades Go Digital
Let’s talk about JHAs (Job Hazard Analyses). If you’re still getting paper copies stuffed under your door or buried in your truck seat, it’s time to shift the culture. Most GCs now require electronic JHAs — uploaded to specific platforms by a certain time. But if no one has shown the trades how to do this, then we’ve already failed them.
Have a quick huddle one morning. Walk the foremen through how to upload a JHA to your platform — whether it’s Procore, BuildingConnected, or something else. Heck, create a QR code sign they can scan with their phones to access the upload portal. Make it simple. Remove friction. And reward the ones who adapt quickly with recognition (a shoutout at the safety meeting goes a long way).
At the end of the day, being a superintendent isn’t just about schedules and punch lists — it’s about raising the bar for everyone on-site. When we hold the line on cleanliness, safety, and technology while also taking the time to teach, coach, and communicate, we’re not only improving the job in front of us, we’re investing in the long-term success of the people we work with. Elevating the trades means elevating the industry, and that starts with us choosing to lead with clarity, consistency, and respect.
Related Information
Thomas Hardy, Skiles Group
Thomas Hardy is a Project Superintendent for Skiles Group and has experience in the construction industry with a wide variety of facility types, including healthcare, retail, industrial and commercial. He demonstrates strong leadership and superior communication skills, and has an excellent reputation for completing his projects within schedule and budgetary constraints. Thomas is a lean leader within the firm.
