As a very young controller at Eastern Radar between 1966 and 1969 I relied hugely on the guidance of the many ex WW2 aircrew who had transferred to ATC after the war. Furthermore, and despite my brash overconfidence and enthusiasm, without their support and a fair amount of good luck I probably would not have survived.
When I look back at the huge number of aircraft operating over East Anglia at the time, and the very basic radar on which we controlled them, I consider the very small number of mid-air incidents reflects some level of skill. Lots of Airmisses though as I recall!!!