Respect Across Sides of the Game

I saw the attached short reel recently and it stopped me. (Watch the video - sound on)

At the end of last week's Steelers/Texans playoff game - a longtime Pittsburgh NFL chain-crew member — someone who’s quietly done the work for decades — shares a moment with DeMeco Ryans, head coach of the Houston Texans.

Different roles.

Different sides of the game.

And yet — unmistakable, mutual respect.

No posturing.

No hierarchy.

Just one professional acknowledging another.

It struck me how relevant that is to the work we do at Docent.

Clients and consultants don’t always sit on the same side. Different incentives, different pressures, different perspectives. But when both sides respect the role, the effort, and the intent of the other, conversations change — and outcomes improve.

You can challenge.

You can disagree.

And still lead with respect.

That’s often where the best partnerships actually begin.