How to ask your MD to move locations
I'm currently an analyst in a group that I really enjoy working for and have had a great experience (get along with everyone and had a great annual review). My issue is that I truly dislike the city I am currently living in. I have almost no social life and really am struggling mentally being so far away from my friends and family. There is 100% a spot in the desired location for me on my team. The problem is my MD wants me working in this office location. It truly would make no difference what office I am in. So, how do I approach him asking to change offices without pissing him off? Appreciate any insight or anyone who has gone through a similar situation.
Firstly I think there’s no way to say this in a way that doesn’t at least frustrate your MD. I mean the dude even asked you UP FRONT that you please stay in that city office for 2 years. You’re a grown ass man, you knew what you got into, and imo the mature and respectful thing to do would be to ask for the move after the 2 years.
HOWEVER life isn’t always that simple, and you had no idea how much you’d like the city when you joined the group. If you hate your situation that much, and have to say something despite the fact that it will frustrate your MD, I would just be completely honest.
“Look man, I love the group, I love the work that I’m doing and the clients I work with, but being this far away from my close friends and family is having a serious negative impact on my personal life. I’ve been performing at a high level but I know I’d make even more of an impact if I could spend quality time with the people I care about. I really think I’ll be happier and perform much better if I can be closer to them, and I want to explore the possibility of moving offices so that I can continue to contribute at the highest level. I wanted to put this on your radar for the sake of transparency and I’m hoping we can have a conversation on how and when this would be possible.” Don’t mention any of the bullshit about how you don’t interact with the people in the office, don’t need to be there, etc - I’m sure all of that is true and self evident without being said.
Last point from me. As someone who has successfully moved offices and become even MORE liked by the team as a result, please remember that asking for the right thing, in the right way, at the right time is one of the most important skills in life. Knowing when the strike makes the difference between a killer and a cuck. Good luck.
Really appreciate the thoughtful response, this was beyond helpful. Think you really nailed it here, thanks for the help.
Chill out with all CAPs dude
If you don’t mind me asking, how did moving offices make you more liked?
Generally agree with the rest of this, but I'd say that the fact you never interact with anyone in the office is hardly "bullshit"... It's a relevant factor and perhaps not one that is top of mind for your MD. You shouldn't be whiny about it, but IMHO it's worth a passing comment like "and of course given everyone is working remotely, I'm not actually interacting with colleagues very often even in this office, so there may not be much of a downside - though of course there may be factors I'm not thinking of."
OP here, I ended going to talk to my MD and pretty much said exactly what you said. He ended up totally understanding and I’m moving next month. This was some of the best advice I’ve ever gotten and truly appreciate it
I'm going through this situation right now. I moved to San Francisco a year and a half ago for my dream job even though I really wanted to be in New York and all my friends and family were close to NYC and my girlfriend lives in NYC. Similar to you, my group is mainly based in SF but there are people spread across the country, especially in NYC so over the past year my manager has allowed me to travel to New York about every 6 to 8 weeks to spend time with my gf and friends and I just work out of the New York office for a week or two, then come back to SF.
I know I wanted to move to NYC permanently so I thought through a lot of options and what I landed on and what my MD agreed to was that if I wanted to apply to NYU Stern's part-time MBA program for Spring 2024 then he would support that, and I could move to NYC. At this point I've worked out of the NYC office so many times that I proved I can be productive there and I think my MD recognized that. If I don't get accepted into the program then I think my MD might still let me move to NYC when my SF apartment lease ends in March, but I would have spent 2 years in SF by that time.
SF sucks
Yeah we’re in a pretty similar situation. I am just trying to avoid spending another year here hence why I want to discuss moving with my MD now. I will 100% be in NYC (where I want to be) next summer whether that’s on the buyside or just moving offices since my MD requested I stay here for 2 years only. Another year here just feels like an eternity
Minus atque expedita autem qui. Autem deleniti quia voluptas ut. Repudiandae officiis vero sit tenetur et corporis autem. Qui dicta sit nihil corrupti.
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