We live in a world that loves labels. CEO. Engineer. Doctor. Influencer. Titles have become shorthand for how we decide who deserves our time, attention, or kindness. But somewhere along the way, we’ve started forgetting one simple truth—respect isn’t something people should have to earn by flashing a designation. It’s something they deserve by simply being human.
Think about it. Some of the kindest, most grounded people you’ll ever meet won’t have fancy titles or blue checkmarks next to their names. They’re the ones who hold the door open, smile in passing, or ask how your day’s going because they mean it. Yet too often, we overlook them while rushing to impress someone “important.” That’s where we get it backward. The real mark of maturity isn’t how we treat those above us—it’s how we treat those who have nothing to offer us in return.
There’s a well-known story about Warren Buffett that captures this beautifully. When he was considering hiring someone for a senior role, he invited the candidate to breakfast at a local restaurant. The conversation went well, but Buffett wasn’t just paying attention to answers about finance or leadership—he was observing how the person treated the restaurant staff. The candidate was polite to Buffett but dismissive and impatient with the waiter. That was the end of it. Buffett later said that how a person treats someone who can’t do anything for them says more about their character than any résumé ever could.
That’s the essence of respect—it’s not selective. Making respect a habit changes how we move through the world. It softens our edges. It makes conversations more genuine. When you treat everyone with the same level of dignity—whether they’re a senior executive or the janitor keeping the office spotless—you create spaces where people feel seen, not sized up. That’s where trust begins. That’s where real leadership starts.
Respect also humbles us. It reminds us that everyone’s walking their own path with struggles we can’t see and stories we’ll never fully know. The barista who gets your name wrong might be juggling two jobs. The intern fumbling through their first presentation might be the next big innovator. The security guard greeting you every morning might carry wisdom far beyond your years. When you stop seeing people through the lens of titles, you start seeing their humanity—and that changes everything.
So here’s a thought worth carrying: make respect automatic. Don’t wait to find out someone’s position before deciding how to treat them. Smile. Listen. Be kind. Because the person in front of you today could very well be the person you need tomorrow—and even if they aren’t, you’ll walk away knowing you chose decency over ego.
At the end of the day, respect costs nothing—but it reveals everything about who you are.
Kenrick Vaz 