[dgb23]

The saddest thing about this story is that X is missing out big time here.

I say that because I started out in a small, very cool agency. However _technical_ leadership and seniority was lacking (they admitted that and made an effort to change that.) I then stagnated on a technical level and had to accumulate that skill set own my own, often on my own time as well.

X being in the presence of a veteran like your colleague should be a golden opportunity for them to learn and grow. Of course open communication and letting everyone voice their opinions has to be part of it. But everything should be weighted, discussed and criticized based in it's objective merits for this approach to make any sense at all.