Is this normal? (possible bad Associate)
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I’m sure I’ll get MS from your fellow analyst monkeys but this doesn’t sound bad at all. You’re lowest on the totem pole unfortunately so this type of stuff will end up on your plate. Maybe he could be nicer about it, but fundamentally it’s your to deal with. Also not sure why the 2nd year analyst should be copied..? Try to see it as an opportunity to take ownership over something if it’s too tough to just suck it up (after less than a year already)
I'm not saying I'm not happy to help out with reasonable tasks, but I take issue with them demanding me drop client work/other things I'm STAFFED on for their internal little data pull and slide presentation because they just don't want to do it. How is that reasonable?
There was no context either... Why should I do this thing for them for them just to take and run with and claim credit for? This isn't fostering a real mentorship or whatever environment, it just reeks of bad culture.
The prioritisation is between him and whoever staffs you. He is your superior. If you politely tell him you’re busy on something time sensitive which seems more urgent but that you’ll finish his task overnight that’s totally reasonable. If he pushes back you should loop on the person you report into on the other task and they can prioritise between them. What does not work is simply say no and that you’re too busy (maybe stating the obvious here).
“There was no context either... Why should I do this thing for them for them just to take and run with and claim credit for?”
This bit sounds a bit entitled to be blunt. First, you’re assuming he’ll do that but have no evidence. Second he’s your superior and if he wants / needs something then it’s just kind of what needs to happen within reason, whether you like it or not. If you have a fundamental issue with that then maybe this isn’t for you. Would it be better if he gave more context etc. - yes undoubtedly, but sometimes you get unlucky and just have to suck it up for a bit and promise yourself you’ll be better when you’re the associate.
Thanks, this is helpful. What if the person just states an amended deadline but is still unrealistic/idk I can make that? Push back again/state "I will have it when I have it" (put nicer). Or is that when I would loop in the staffer? For what it's worth, this person gives stuff completely independently, not via the staffer... It's very hard to know how to navigate this new environment and stuff in a tactful way so that you're not seen as difficult/the problem.
I’d recommend you go to whoever you report into on your other deal which is seemingly more important, explain the situation and ask for their advice. Maybe their ask is less urgent than you think - in which case problem resolved and you can quickly do what the associate asks for. Maybe it’s as urgent as you think, in which case you can draft in their support. You’ll never win the pissing contest by yourself and you might not have all the context required to decide (and it’s not your decision to make in any case).
I’m not sure how your system works but if your staffer needs to sign off on everything then it’s not unreasonable to flag to them (preferably verbally) that people are going around the system. Just tell him you’re happy to help the Associate but just flagging to him (staffer) so he’s fully in the loop on your capacity (rather than snitching). The staffer will decide from there.
Final note is that subject to how big the ask of the associate is you may just want to do it to avoid the brain damage. But it sounds like you’ve considered that and that’s not possible in this instance.
Thanks, this is super helpful.
As I said, the ask was literally an internal thing. It would have probably been quick to do- issue is also a lot of follow up tasks which were not mentioned in the initial email.
Anyway, food for thought of how to handle these personalities in the future.
I'll try to be tight lipped and easy until I rotate out, won't need to deal with them anymore then.
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