Overbearing associates

Sounds like a guy who bases his whole life and personality on the shit we do for a living so any mistake feels like a personal attack on him. All of us on here have the jobs somewhat embedded into our personalities since they aren’t 9-5s but this is the type of stuff that comes off as “hardoooo”. Then again I’m not a banker boy and never was so what do I know.

If this has only been a recent occurrence, there might be something external that's bothering him. Might be worth having a conversation about it with him.

I've had similar conversations twice, when I was an analyst. Both times they didn't realize they were doing anything wrong. After I brought it up with them it solved all the issues. Actually made both relationships much stronger. I try to best understand where someone is coming from; most people are not purposely bad.

Sadly throughout your career there will be times where you receive overly harsh criticism whether it's a superior or a fellow junior. Best thing to do is just suck it up and don't take it personal, in the end it's only a job/business. Yes, that's not really a big deal and the above comment might be right it could be something external that made the assoc act like that. Take that super minor mistake and just never make it again (lesson learned - take a quick double take at your emails before you send them out). So yeah, don't take it personal unless it's something serious like he lashed out on you in front of the whole team or something.

Gotta let the little stuff go, particularly for those grinding and performing. It's ok to joke about something small like that but then reference that it's "no big deal."

All caps emails are a bit intense... any chance they were being facetious? 

You’re lucky he did that in an email and not to your face, so there is now a permanent record of his pettiness.

If this is a recent and one-off occurrence, I would brush it off. You can remember it for future interactions or if one day you’re above him and want to dish it back, but not worth your time to do much.

However, if this behavior starts to become the norm, I would reach out to a vp and just ask for advice. Don’t name anyone unless you trust the vp or he pushes you for a name.

Another poster advised to have a chat with the associate, but I’ve found those conversations never really work. Bullies don’t respond well to being called out and I think you could make it worse for yourself if you try to talk to him about it.

All caps is a bit too much but you gotta realize that this guy is probably working 100+ hours a week and as an associate is further advanced in life (partner, potential kids etc) so has other things in his mind bothering him too 

Don't be too hard on yourself, you're not doing this job to just send calendar invites. Just double-check next time and be firm but collegial with your analyst as you move up

Working 100+ hours a week during years at an unparalleled level of thoroughness can make you a pshyco and although he might be a great guy, that email might have just been that little psycho inside him.Would apologize immediately and if you are unable of letting it go, bring it up with him over a beer in a couple of months saying man I freaked out that time but now in retrospective, whilst a mistake you were a bit too harsh on me weren't you?

Would ghost that email

Thanks for the feedback everyone. Really appreciate it

The hardest thing to internalize is that this is your associate's insecurity shining through. Not much advice other than don't let it get you down. Maybe during down times spend some time with them to get in their brain a bit more. Once they feel more comfortable with you they won't jump down your throat over minor shit.

I just hit those emails with a "Got it, will do." and carry on with my life