I changed my mindset and made the Chief become my Client and the young waiters that were bringing in heaps of dirty plates and other kitchenware – my Suppliers, Partners, and Employees. 🤝
Sure, it was some sort of self-lye, as the true boss was actually the Owner/Chief of the restaurant, and I was working as a dishwasher for 8 euros per hour.
However, this change in my mindset toward business made me enjoy my job, and go there with pleasure almost every day for 3 months. I didn’t expect that of myself…
I was opening and closing my office and used my analytical and organizational skills to organize and optimize the processes and reduce my workload and time processing the dirty plates during rush hours.
I was operating the 1982-year-old conveyor belt dishwashing machine, hacking its pre-historic computer to ensure it worked when the boss wasn’t nearby.
And besides that, I was training the young waiters on how to earn more tips, support their motivation and do their best on this job. 🎯
This job taught me what it means to commit and take ownership.
Chef was a very tough man, he sounded like an army colonel. He was speaking like he was commanding. He easily could start shouting. 🤬
The restaurant had the largest staff turnover among other restaurants in the neighborhood.
With that, I learned to calmly defend my point of view with respect for the opponent, independent of whom they are regarding their rank or social status, and accept people as they are.
The secret here: I was ready to leave the restaurant and find a job elsewhere if the Chef and I couldn’t come to terms on mutual respect.
In 3 months I found a “normal” job in tech space. Chef didn’t want to let me go. He said in the first time in the last 10 years he saw the shining floor and organized processes, and the man who could say his solid “no” to him while staying respectful.
I truly believe responsibility is about ownership, or being the owner of your word, having a true desire to do what you promised in the best 👍 possible way within the time frame you agreed upon.
What is the commitment and responsibility for you?