Consistent negative feedback
Hey guys. Been an intern for about 3 months now and I need some advice on how to deal with a situation. I started working closely with an associate for about a month who’s been quite demanding with the work product. At first I liked this as it would push me to be better but after a month I just don’t know what to do anymore. It seems I can never get it right with the guy. It’s gotten to a point where I’m scared to send him stuff, I feel frustrated, lack of confidence, and I’m sure that he’s also frustrated with me, and is sick of working with me. I really don’t know what to do anymore… everyday I force myself to come in with a good mood, motivated to be the best possible, but every time it seems I fall short, and I’m losing confidence in myself and don’t know how much more of this I can take honestly. This doesn’t or hasn’t happened with anyone else. Any actually practical advice that isn’t push through it or something of that sort?
Based on the WSO threads discussing similar situations, here are some practical steps you can take to address the issue of consistent negative feedback from your associate:
Request Specific Feedback: Instead of general feedback, ask for specific guidance on what exactly needs improvement. For instance, if a report isn't up to standard, ask which sections or data points were lacking. This can help you understand the expectations more clearly and improve your work accordingly.
Schedule Regular Check-Ins: Propose setting up regular meetings with the associate to discuss your progress and any concerns he might have. This can help you catch issues early before they escalate and also show your initiative to improve.
Document Your Interactions and Feedback: Keep a record of the feedback you receive. This can help you track your progress, understand patterns in the feedback, and provide a basis for discussions if you need to escalate the issue.
Seek Guidance from Others: Sometimes, getting a second opinion helps. Discuss your situation with another colleague or mentor who can provide you with a different perspective or advice on how to handle the situation.
Reflect on the Feedback: While constant criticism can be disheartening, try to separate any emotional response from constructive criticism. See if there are genuine areas for improvement and focus on those.
Communicate Openly About Your Feelings: If the situation doesn't improve, consider having an honest conversation with the associate about how the feedback is affecting your work and morale. Sometimes, people aren't aware of the impact of their words and adjusting their approach can help both parties.
Escalate if Necessary: If you've tried the above steps and the situation hasn't improved, it might be necessary to discuss it with a supervisor or HR. It’s important to approach this step with all the documentation and examples of how you’ve tried to address the situation yourself.
Remember, it's important to maintain professionalism throughout this process and focus on what you can do to improve and adapt. This approach not only helps in dealing with the current situation but also prepares you for handling similar challenges in the future.
Sources: Any Others Dealing With Competitiveness Among Associates / Cut Throat Office Culture?, THEN and NOW: @CompBanker, Annual Review was bad how do I bounce back?, https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/private-equity/then-and-now-compbanker?customgpt=1, Dealing with PM (equities) who is trying to limit your progress
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