Oh I know, me neither. But I've been denied headcount several times. I don't want 2000, but envy the magical ability to get at least a bigger number.

Unfortunately, time and again I've seen that the person who grows that big team, etc, is an unqualified idiot asshole. Good guys don't frequently win.

Nice guys finish last is a saying that rings true in multiple fields.

It's also entirely within anyone's control to realize that and act accordingly.

I'm less of a nice guy these days, and my life is better for it. Though I try to ultimately be very nice to the people I care about.