What makes a rockstar PE associate?

Experienced PE monkeys: in your opinion and experience, what are some of the key attributes that distinguish the rockstar PE associates from the rest of the crowd?

I'm just about 2 months into my 1st year in PE, and as I'm beginning to get settled in, this is naturally something I've been curious about. I've certainly begun to form my own embryonic thoughts on this based on what little experience I've had thus far, but wanted to reach out and hopefully hear what those who have already been around the block have to say.

Accordingly, I was wondering if the experienced PE monkeys among us could opine on this one. Please no unfounded speculation from banking analysts / college hopefuls. I'm hoping this can be an honest and insightful thread we can all learn from that's not contaminated with vapid conjecture and quibbling from the peanut gallery. Thanks in advance everyone, I really appreciate it.

5 Comments
 
  1. gets the #s right 1st time without an associate looking over his/her shoulder

  2. Takes initiative in leading the diligence process

  3. follows up / runs analysis without being asked

Overall, the IB to PE transition is not easy because you typically go from an environment with a ton of direction (whip cracking) to one where you are expected to fly solo with minimal supervision (at least that was the case in my MM PE firm).

 

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