Leave the designation aside, kindness matters

An external support team was visiting our office. Some formalities had been completed in advance, while a few others had to be taken care of in real time. Once the visiting team had settled in, the meeting began—slightly later than planned.

It was an in-person interaction, with senior and key members from both teams in attendance. The discussions were constructive and meaningful, with ideas exchanged, action points noted, and a little small talk along the way. As the meeting was drawing to a close, a senior member of our team was helping the visitors understand where they could take a break.

For anyone visiting an unfamiliar workplace, a familiar face can make a difference.

The visiting team invited this senior person to join them for lunch, but the invitation was politely declined. I happened to witness the exchange and, perhaps because of my own perspective, felt that the moment could have been handled a little differently.

Later, I invited the external team to join us for lunch if they wished. They accepted the invitation happily.

What followed was more than just a lunch break. People from both teams began interacting beyond the agenda of the meeting. Conversations flowed, people became more comfortable with one another, and the professional distance that often exists between two teams gradually began to disappear. Later that day, we even got together for a coffee break.

I am sure the visiting team would have found their way around even if I had not invited them. They were perfectly capable of managing their own break.

But kindness isn't always about what someone needs. Sometimes, it is simply about making someone feel welcome.

I believe these small gestures stay with us in ways we may not immediately recognize. They create comfort, build trust, and make professional relationships feel a little more human. Over time, such moments can strengthen the bonds between people.

One of my bosses would often sarcastically remark that my team's breaks looked more like team events because I had so many people around me.

Perhaps that's true.

But I have always believed that when you step away from your designation, hierarchy, and official role, you make it easier for people to connect with the person behind the position.

At the end of the day, designations define roles.

Kindness defines people.