That infamous rift.

On New Year’s Eve, I worked at the restaurant. 

It was an atypical night because we hosted a New Year’s Eve party. The place was decorated from top to bottom in a vintage circus theme.  

I was part of the set up crew. So I got to watch the place transform from its everyday attire into its New Year’s Eve best.

I unboxed, cleaned, and polished champagne flutes for most of the afternoon. 500 of them to be precise. This was all in preparation for the evening festivities. 

I actually enjoyed witnessing the place morph as it crept closer to party time. 

I worked as the rest of the front of house employees arrived to work too. Since most of the others showed up later than I did, they came dressed in their circus themed outfits.

It was interesting and exciting as the start of the party drew near. 

We knew the party wasn’t for us but at least we were going to be a part of it. 

As we all gathered for the pre-party meeting, I looked around and saw all of the gorgeous front of house team members.

Then a thought crossed my mind for the first time. 

None of the back of house staff were present at the pre-party meeting. 

The dishwashers, cooks, and chefs had been in the building preparing for the night ahead well before any of the front of house team members even thought about showing up.

I know this because I was one of the first front of house employees to arrive and when I arrived they’d all already been there working to ensure the night’s success.

So, at that pre-party meeting, when I didn’t see any of the back of house team, it made me wonder what it must feel like to be them on a night like that.

When everyone else gets to dress up, look fancy and look forward to the night ahead, it’s business as usual for them. In fact, all the party meant to them was a more intense workload.

I didn’t outright ask any of the back of house team members what that felt like. But it did make me wonder for the rest of the night. 

This, I guess, is where that infamous rift between the front and the back of the house lies.

I’ll keep this in mind if I ever find myself in a position to lead people in the future.

If I’m having a hard time connecting with the people I lead, I’ll remind myself that it might be because I haven’t stood with them over the scorching hot flame of the stove while everyone else celebrates.