CRE Workplace Politics - How to Deal With Very Political Culture

From another thread, part of the original comment below regarding politics.


"You want to buy and sell companies, learn legal structuring, legal agreements, enforcement via litigation.  You’re afraid of AI taking your excel job, learn how the game is played, learn judgement, learn to be a nice person with a mean streak if someone messes with you."


My Question:

What's a real world example of being mean if you have to? I've always wondered how to deal with a very political culture, obviously be nice as a junior but what if you don't have a VP+ that's on your side and willing to help you if another VP+ is being unfair? Realistically no one is going to HR.

 

I'm not sure what the thread you're referencing is referencing, but the best example of "learn to be a nice person with a mean streak" in corporate life I can think of is less actively being mean and more passively letting someone stumble. The classic Napoleon "Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake" will come up a lot over your professional career, and as long as that mistake hurts your nemesis and not you, ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 

Real estate, in whatever city you're in, is a very small world. Everyone knows everyone. Everyone in charge used to work with everyone else in charge at other companies when they were all analysts or associates together. When you get a reputation, it can stick. You don't want that reputation to be as a dickhead, or a gossip, or a bitch. But, you know, if your buddy calls you as an unofficial reference for your office nemesis, don't be afraid to stick the knife in. Off the record, of course. 

Commercial Real Estate Developer
 
Most Helpful

Ipsam rerum nesciunt reprehenderit dignissimos nihil. Quas ut quisquam et et accusantium corrupti aut. Rerum repellendus sit fuga sapiente quasi. Modi itaque doloribus aut magni et ut. Corrupti et hic asperiores in consectetur.

Est quidem dolores laborum repellat distinctio accusantium. Quia debitis facere cum repellat. Est vel odio sit temporibus.

Libero officiis qui placeat repellendus dignissimos. Rerum quo aut ut quae. Nisi dicta qui deleniti blanditiis incidunt sit.

Qui ut distinctio maiores aut. Et qui tenetur itaque quo. Quidem suscipit sed quis itaque.

Have compassion as well as ambition and you’ll go far in life. Check out my blog at MemoryVideo.com

Career Advancement Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. New 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 03 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (87) $260
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (14) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (66) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (205) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (146) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
bolo up's picture
bolo up
98.8
10
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”