I had a profound experience at work today. Lately I've been working more in the management area than in the trenches with a crew while we are in the shit. I've had some pretty easy cook shifts when I'm not wearing my manager clothes but today was the exception. We were busy and also down a person. Also to note our manager is fully capable but one of those people who doesn't really want to work, plus he was called in on his day off. Not only were we down a cook but there was no mid manager as well. Normally I'm the mid manager on days when it counts but today I was a cook scheduled pretty much until close. I left when the closer was cleaning off the flat top.
Now there is one other thing in this story that needs explaining. Lately the atmosphere at work has been tense. As a result of consistent low attendance at trainer meetings the man in charge blew his top. The entire kitchen staff save for 3 people were stripped of their trainer status for essentially one month. The three people who were saved were the two kitchen people who attended the last trainer meeting and me. Even though I missed the meeting because I fucking forgot about it (something I curse my absent minded nature for) there had to be what the restaurant considers a night time trainer. So a vote was cast by all who attended the meeting, this was the two cooks and the front of house trainers. Somehow I won by a unanimous vote and though I don't understand it I appreciate it greatly. Lastly our former Head Trainer was stripped of his status and someone who I feel is very deserving was given the title.
So all in all there has been a ton of workplace drama and I aim to deal with it in due time but I digress.
Tonight I was a cook and we took the heat pretty hard at one point. I was on fry so I was pretty much getting hammered all night but I still managed to perform as best I could with aid from others when I needed it. My helpers were one man who is paid a ton to not care about his job but he's a hell of a cook when he needs to be. He came through tonight during the worst of it. Then there is our shaky, young, self deprecating teenager entering adulthood. He actually stepped up many times when it counted as well. Either way tonight went well and it reminded me of what my time at this place was like not so long ago.
That being said I still work hard when I'm wearing my fancy manager button down and name tag. Even though I know I can be better in time I really feel like I earned that vote that saved me from damnation. I'm just lucky I can be who I am in such an industry and it works to my benefit. So long as I can keep a positive spirit going I'm not even sure if I have limits anymore.
Maybe I'm just proving my theory true that if you can become a being of love, understanding, and perseverance you can move entire groups of people towards a greater end. The mere semantics of our current situation doesn't have to dampen our spirits and when you give it out to those around you they will return it to you when you need it most. These are times when I feel the most human and though they come at unexpected times I love them because they inspire me. :)