Key Highlights
- The role of kindness in the advertising industry is highlighted on World Kindness Day.
- Personal stories from ad professionals illustrate how small acts of empathy can significantly impact careers and morale.
- Kindness often manifests as support, encouragement, and belief in colleagues during challenging times.
- The article emphasizes that genuine kindness is what sustains creativity and fosters long-term success in the competitive field of advertising.
Understanding Kindness in Advertising
In an industry where speed, pressure, and relentless hustle are the norm, it’s easy to overlook the quiet moments of empathy that can change everything. Pranali Tawte, a writer for World Kindness Day, explores these moments through personal experiences and insights from ad professionals. On November 13, 2025, she reflects on how small acts of kindness can shape careers and workplace environments.
The Power of Small Gestures
Pranali Tawte’s journey into the world of advertising began at Social Samosa, where her first day was filled with nervousness and anxiety. However, Sneha, a colleague who sensed her discomfort, stepped in to guide her through her tasks patiently. This simple act of kindness turned into a lasting friendship that made long workdays lighter. Tawte emphasizes, “Kindness doesn’t arrive with grand gestures; it’s just sitting beside you, saying, ‘You’ve got this.’”
Belief Beyond the Briefs
Jyoti Chugh Bhatia, Group Director at Gozoop Creative, shares a personal story of burnout and how a senior colleague took a brief off her plate. “It was a quiet act of understanding that shifted my entire perspective,” she says. This small moment taught her that being capable doesn’t mean constant exhaustion but knowing when to breathe.
Tanvi Bosmia, Account Director – Brand Experience at SoCheers, experienced the same empathy from her peers during challenging phases. “Sometimes, it’s all about reassurance and seeing potential in you,” she explains. Her story highlights that belief isn’t always loud; it can be someone taking some load off your shoulders when you’re handling too much.
Taking a Chance on Potential
Uddhav Parab, Senior Creative Director at Interactive Avenues, remembers the moment his career began because of an unexpected opportunity. Mark Mathai, then Executive Creative Director at Ogilvy, saw potential in Uddhav despite his humble background and offered him a job. “This taught me how hard it is to break into this industry,” he says, emphasizing that kindness can come from taking risks on talented individuals.
Empathy as Leadership
Sambit Mohanty, Creative Head and EVP at McCann Worldgroup, shares his experience of being supported by two senior colleagues who helped him flourish. Their kind leadership instilled in him the importance of empathy and respect for others. “My stint at Mudra brought more empathy into my leadership style,” he says.
The Impact of Kindness on Leadership
For many ad professionals, kindness isn’t about comfort but courage. It’s a belief that sustains creativity in an industry where perfection is often the norm. Tanvi and Jyoti both highlight how small acts of kindness can change their approach to leadership entirely. Tanvi stopped chasing perfection and started valuing progress, creating a space of trust for her team. Jyoti emphasizes that “people remember how you make them feel while getting there,” underlining the importance of consistent kindness.
Conclusion
Kindness as the Glue
In an industry built on big ideas and relentless effort, it’s often the smallest gestures that leave the longest echo. From seniors taking briefs off plates to friends reminding you to breathe, these acts of kindness are what carry us through our careers. Uddhav Parab concludes, “With GPT making everyone more insular, kindness will be the glue that keeps us connected.” This article serves as a reminder that in advertising, it’s not just about campaigns and briefs but about the moments that change people.
