How To Make Your MD Love You (And Score a Top Bucket Bonus)

1) It all comes down to politics. Insert yourself often and early. The MDs don’t want their analysts to be shy with opinions. Be opinionated and take a side.

2) Double pollinate the SHIT out of your MD/Directors’ relationships. Nothing an MD loves more than calling up his connection at a Financial Sponsor and hearing that his analyst has already reached out to an associate at the group to break the ice. This is finance, people aren’t cagey and it is well understood that it isn’t pragmatic to “own” a relationship.

3) Set clear boundaries with your superiors by consistently not answering phone calls or emails after a certain point at night and during a set 1-hour lunch period during the day. The key here is CONSISTENCY. Once they realize what is on and off the table they can best utilize you and budget your time better.

4) Talk the talk, walk the walk. You represent your bank, your group and your MD. If your boss wears Allen Edmonds shoes you wear Gucci. Don’t be afraid to let hotel receptionists/flight attendants/waiters know who you are. Set the parameters for your boss so he doesn’t have to.

5) Show that you’re aware and paying attention when it matters most. It’s okay to be on mute and not contribute to internal update calls so as not to make things take too long but definitely hop in and cut off clients during conference calls to ask for clarification, for your own benefit. It makes your group look better if the client understands that there’s more than one live body contributing - you don’t always have to agree with your MD when providing input. He’ll kiss you on the lips if you’re able to correct him with a more refined opinion for the client’s benefit while on a call.

6) Delegate, delegate, delegate. If your MD assigns you work you are in charge of getting it done, as efficiently as possible. The most efficient way isn’t by yourself. Pull other analysts and interns in to help you. Also feel free to divy out some pages to an Associate above you - if it’s on behalf of an MD you have MD authority in delegating.

7) Over-promise on the front-end to create a self-fulfilling prophecy. Tell your boss you can finish those slides he needs by 9am TONIGHT, period. If it ends up taking until 10am next morning that’s a better outcome than “sorry boss, I’m busy”.

8) Make your boss look good by allowing HIS boss to recognize the involvement he rewards you on deals. Don’t be shy to reply-all to the group-wide deal announcement he sends out to thank everyone else who helped you pull together the model and presentations. If didn’t actually work on the deal you can still reply all and say “First” just to make sure everyone knows you saw it first, this is standard practice.

9) If he ever crosses you, take a shit in his bottom desk drawer and hide the key. This one wont win you any points, but it’s alright to stick up for yourself, this is finance. Shit in your bosses desk.