Why Being Kind-Hearted is My Superpower (Even if My Family Never Saw It)

One of my most endearing qualities is my kind heart and my willingness to go the extra mile for others. I’ve always been the type of person who helps out without expecting anything in return.

Sadly, this is a trait my family either never noticed—or if they did, they never appreciated. But the world outside my family? They’ve always seen it. And that makes me proud.

How My Work Team Made Me Feel Valued

I currently work as an administrative caseworker in the Civil Service. My job is fairly simple on paper: checking application forms, ensuring the information matches our scanned system records, and fixing small errors like spelling mistakes or missing sections. It might sound basic, but I love what I do—and more importantly, I love my team.

We’re a team of ten, and honestly, it feels more like family than colleagues. We chat, share gossip, enjoy team meals (under the excuse of “team meetings”), and help each other out when things get tough. That support is what makes us so great together.

One key part of our role is keeping our task lists up to date. These include cases where information is missing or a scanned page didn’t come through. We have to chase missing details by contacting customers or checking physical files. Any incomplete work goes onto a priority task list, which gets flagged as deadlines approach.

Usually, I clear 4–8 high-priority tasks a day, but some days are impossible—like after a bank holiday when we’re swamped with calls.

The Day I Needed Help (and Got It)

Last week, our main manager was off, and one of my colleagues stepped in as acting manager. He sent a message reminding us to update our task lists because he’d be checking them.

When I looked at mine, my jaw dropped. Two and a half pages of high-priority tasks—about 50 cases. And I had only 2–3 hours to work on them before my early Friday finish. Plus, I was still taking calls.

I messaged him straight away, saying, “There’s no way I can get through all this, but I’ve started working on them.” He told me to do my best and ask for help if needed. Without hesitation, I replied, “I need help.”

I worked through about 10 cases before getting stuck on a 25-minute call. When I refreshed my list, I was stunned—my priority list was down to half a page. My acting manager had jumped in and cleared most of it for me!

Then he messaged me: “Your task list is up to date, but please review one case—I think there’s an error.” Turns out, I hadn’t made a mistake; I was just waiting on a filing department response. He even emailed the head of that department to chase it up, cc’ing me so I could see the progress.

He didn’t have to do that. He could have told me, “It’s your responsibility—do what you can.” But he didn’t, because we’re that kind of team. And maybe because he knows that I’m always the first to help others when they need it.

Where This Helpful Nature Comes From

This isn’t new for me. I’ve been like this since my first proper job at a bank in London.

I still remember November that year when my branch manager asked me to organize Secret Santa. She probably expected something basic like slips of paper in a bowl. Instead, she got beautifully designed name cards in sealed envelopes. She was so impressed that I became the official Secret Santa organizer every year after that.

I did eight Secret Santas in ten years (I was on maternity leave twice—one for each of my daughters). Every year, I outdid myself. My last Secret Santa even included mini origami Santas as gift tags. Word spread across North London branches, and three other branches asked me to make them too! They even covered the material costs.

After that first Christmas, my reputation was set—I was “the helpful one.” If something needed doing that didn’t involve tills, I volunteered. Whether it was loading ATMs, handling money deliveries, or even testing ATMs’ audio systems with headphones (yes, that’s a real thing!), I did it.

And when it came to the dreaded annual tests, I helped everyone—cashiers, personal bankers, even managers—because after failing twice early on, I memorized all the answers!

How It Shows Up in My Current Job

This helpful, friendly attitude has followed me to the Civil Service.

At first, our team had a rule: your birthday month meant organizing the next person’s birthday. When my birthday came, I organized the next one—and then volunteered for the next…and the next.

By November, I had also volunteered for Secret Santa (of course!). Just like at the bank, I wowed everyone with creative name tags and envelopes. From that moment on, I became the unofficial social events organizer—team birthdays, festive events, team-building activities—you name it.

I’ve organized almost every single birthday since joining the team in February last year. (Except for one person whose birthday is in September—my month. I draw the line there!)

Even when I try to take a break, I get roped in—like now. I was supposed to be event-free this September, but guess who’s booking the venue for the team meeting? Yep, me.

Why This Means So Much to Me

I have a great reputation in my team and even among other managers as someone who is always willing to help. And honestly? I love that.

My family may never have appreciated my caring, helpful nature—but my colleagues do. And that’s something I’m incredibly proud of.