Sport is a wonderful analogy for life.
In every team there's a player who has been around a while. They've been the young one keen to impress and talk about new ideas. They've been the one struggling, for any number of reasons, to stay in the team. They've been the captain, vice captain or shot-caller before. They've been the shouter, the snapper, the organiser or the encourager and have grown from it. They've been the coaches confidant, and also on the outside of the circle of trust. They're not the fastest or the best or most creative player anymore, but they know how the politics of the game work and how it affects individual team members. They keep a benign eye on the team, having a quiet word to encourage or offer advice if required. Never officially, but usually timely. The trick is to realise you've become that team mate (no one actually tells you) and embrace your role.
It's the same in every work crew, corporate hub, staff room and changing room. Whatever your role, remember that we're all on the same team, and we don't win unless we have each other's backs.
