Think I earned some respect today

Normally I work night shift, but had to come in a few hours early because the close was +50% forecasted earnings, -4 crew, and missing a manager.

Came in, went into the kitchen, helped clear things out, quickly evaluated the front and realised that the crew was really just struggling in completing their closing tasks, and the restaurent desperately needed a good clean. So instead of leading from the head, I instead decided to let the crew continue to handle things and started personally doing all the menial stuff. Cleaning, garbages, stocking, whatnot. Had one crew ask me "Aren't you a manager? Why are you doing all this?"

So I told em, just because I'm a manager doesn't make me above doing the dirty work. I realised you all just really needed help getting everything cleaned and well organised, so I made that my priority.

I saw a visible tone shift in almost all of them from indifference towards me to respect. Got a chance to have a few conversations, boost a li'l morale, and while the close was FAR from done correctly, and while I had a hell of a large amount of work on my plate for my night shift, I think I managed to turn a disaster and a very disgruntled crew into one that ended the night strong.

Not used to being looked at with respect. It's.... nice.