BB VP thinks I'm his best friend (associate), but I hate him
Not a long post but need advice. I'm an associate at a BB, and have been with the firm for about 4 years.
When I first came in as an analyst, I did really great work for my VP, and we've built a good relationship. As time went on, I realized he's not the greatest guy to be honest - not very skillful at his job (bad at client management), relies on me heavily to run anything, and a massive micro-manager that kills my motivation to work and any freedom to my time.
In the meantime, he genuinely believes that we are best friends and we are in this together (telling me we're gonna make partner one day...). I learn little from him and the work dynamic is horrible. I receive about 8 calls from him every day, have to walk him through every single material that is produced and sometimes need to support his decision making for VP level tasks.
My intention is not to ruin his career or get into a conflict with him, although he needs to receive feedback on what he's doing wrong (many other associates and analysts have complained about his work style and competency as well). I think if he were to receive truly honest feedback, he could change for the better but I find no way of giving him honest feedback without getting into a conflict (same with other juniors that work with him).
What should I do? How can I facilitate feedback? Need your help monkeys - let me know
Why are you just staffed with this one VP if it's a bulge bracket?
Sadly there are always these useless people in the mid level. They get cut but only if they are exposed.
You need to pull your support, make yourself unavailable etc so the VP is forced to do his job and expose himself.
Can you not speak to the staffer?
I am staffed with others too and have communicated my desire to diversify staffing. I think he pushes for me to be on his deals, which is fine.
Do you not see a way where he is made aware and he changes for the better? I don't trust regular review systems and don't really view them as effective.
Just tell the staffer you would like to work with other people in order to expand your network, learn from different seniors, etc.
Had this same issue with someone who wasn’t up to par with another VPs. You just need to tell the staffer that you would like more “diverse” exposure and push back on projects with that particular VP.
Make it a gradual process and slowly respond less quickly and miss some calls saying you are working on another deal, etc.
Do not try to change him or guide him as more than likely that will backfire and hurt his ego. Just try to slowly distance him from you and push back subtely.
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