Don't respect my colleagues
What do you do if you work at a fund with a small team and you don't respect your colleagues? They're neither thoughtful nor hard working.
Should I leave? Or learn to stop caring?
I recognize that I sound like a total try hard but given our industry is rife with try hards, I would appreciate input from people who've found themselves in similar situations.
If you're in a small team and find yourself not respecting your colleagues due to their lack of thoughtfulness or work ethic, here's what the most helpful WSO content suggests:
Evaluate Your Growth Potential: Ask yourself if staying in this environment is helping you grow professionally. As one WSO user pointed out, a key question to consider is whether your colleagues or boss encourage and support your growth or are solely focused on their own agendas. If the latter, it might be time to move on.
Focus on Your Own Goals: While it's frustrating to work with people who don't meet your standards, focusing on your own performance and goals can help you detach emotionally. As another WSO thread highlights, "Don't equate your personal self-esteem with your professional success." Keep your head down, do exceptional work, and let your results speak for themselves.
Plan an Exit Strategy: If the environment is toxic or consistently demoralizing, it may be time to leave. As one user shared, "If it's toxic, it's not worth the money." Start polishing your CV and networking discreetly while still employed, as it's easier to find a job when you already have one.
Communicate and Seek Solutions: Before making a decision, consider discussing your concerns with your manager or a trusted senior colleague. They might not be aware of the dynamics and could help address the issues.
Don't Let Resentment Build: Resentment towards colleagues can lead to burnout. As another WSO thread advises, "Focusing on the journeys of others will only cause you to have resentment." Instead, focus on what you can control—your own career trajectory.
Ultimately, if the situation persists and you find no value in staying, leaving for a better opportunity aligned with your values and goals might be the best move.
Sources: Watching others leave early is demoralizing - what do I do?, The Work Always Gets Done, Do your associates just not care?, How do you value the people you work for?, Care for eachother, Care for the Community, Look to Grow
Is the fund performance / their individual performance good? Or is your performance not way better than theirs? If so stop caring and focus on work itself. You will come across many people like this and they’re people who prefer to not speak much other than when it’s time to pitch to the PM. Also work smart, not hard. Working pointless hours on things or building the 1000th line on the model when you only needed to focus on 5 lines to build your thesis isn’t smart work.
Is the fund performance / their individual performance bad? If so leave
Yup, far too many tryhards in this line of work equate quantity of work with returns
You try to lead by example. Be the best you can be. However, if you can't handle the environment, or feel like your personal growth is being hindered, than it is time for you to start looking.
Qui dolores voluptates temporibus. Itaque et voluptates at amet dolorum repellendus autem quod. Eum voluptatem saepe accusantium ipsam consectetur est. Soluta a impedit adipisci deserunt.
Et voluptas accusamus nostrum dolorem quos doloremque repellat inventore. Dolorem sit alias eaque ut in voluptas nobis. Mollitia numquam sed iste praesentium fuga. Ad omnis qui possimus sed. Provident sed excepturi labore inventore ut ut praesentium dolor.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...
Deserunt voluptatum temporibus sunt eaque. Iusto numquam quam ipsum est.
Nulla delectus odit cumque temporibus. Voluptas temporibus consequatur nihil in nisi. Vitae officia saepe tempore. Velit eius architecto omnis et. Aut qui ut maxime sit tempore.
Natus sed culpa incidunt esse vitae quis aperiam. Optio nemo eius animi beatae. Voluptatum totam est repellendus aliquam voluptatem autem. Dolor tempore hic nobis qui deleniti et unde.