Dealing with uptight/rude senior analyst

I'm new in the team and am trying my best to learn and get up to speed after joining on the grad programme. There used to be a few analysts but only one left now, one year my senior, and this person is so rude and uptight and I don't really get it?

Makes like no conversation whenever I say hello or ask how it's going, rarely will even take their eyes off the screen. Is incredibly cliquey with one associate. 

Whenever I ask this person a question they act as if though I am inconveniencing them? They barely walk through what I am asking for clarification on, won't read Teams messages until several hours after I asked something, and generally now I don't even feel like asking them anything because ik it just won't be useful but I can't ask anyone else because there's only Associates or above left in the team and they'll tell me to ask this person who acts like they're my senior.

Their general demeanour is also pretty standoffish... Hard to explain.

Any tips with how to deal with a person like that? It's pretty frustrating because they're also basically the only resource I have at the moment for "stupid" questions. I would much rather bypass them but I don't know.

Anyone else dealt with difficult, uptight sr analysts before?

3 Comments
 

Based on the most helpful WSO content, here are some tips for dealing with a rude or uptight senior analyst:

  1. Understand Their Perspective:

    • Sometimes the issue might be more about their situation than you. They could be under stress from their superiors or dealing with personal issues.
  2. Effective Communication:

    • Try to have a one-on-one conversation with them to understand their behavior and express your need for guidance. This can sometimes help in improving the working relationship.
  3. Avoid Conflict:

    • Keep your head down and avoid unnecessary conflict. Focus on your work and try not to let their behavior affect your performance.
  4. Seek Alternative Resources:

    • If possible, try to find other resources or colleagues who can help you with your questions. This could be other associates or even online resources.
  5. Protect Yourself:

    • Document your interactions and any instances where their behavior is particularly unhelpful or rude. This can be useful if you need to escalate the issue to HR or a higher authority.
  6. Office Politics:

    • Be cautious about office politics. Avoid talking negatively about this person to other colleagues as it can backfire. Stick to discussing work-related topics and avoid getting drawn into gossip.
  7. Build Relationships:

    • Try to build relationships with other team members. This can help you create a support network and might provide you with alternative sources of help.
  8. Stay Professional:

    • Maintain a professional demeanor at all times. Even if they are rude, responding with professionalism can sometimes help in diffusing the situation.
  9. Self-Care:

    • Dealing with difficult colleagues can be stressful. Make sure to take care of your mental health and seek support if needed.
  10. Long-Term Strategy:

    • If the situation does not improve, consider discussing it with your manager or HR. They might be able to provide a more permanent solution or reassign you to a different mentor.

These strategies can help you navigate the challenges of working with a difficult senior analyst while maintaining your professionalism and productivity.

Sources: How to earn respect from your analysts?, How to deal with 2nd year analysts who refuse to work, Dealing with incompetent analyst, How to deal with a narc at work?, https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/investment-banking/coping-with-a-rude-associate?customgpt=1

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
 

Honestly culture sounds terrible and you wont learn in that environment. 

Go have conversations to switch teams internally.

Sponsors M&A (London)
 

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