How to deal with passive aggressive analyst trainer?
I just started as a 1st year analyst on a desk in S&T and there’s a ton to absorb across how the product works (securitized so relatively complicated), different systems we use, when certain things are needed, how to approach certain situations, etc. I’ve realistically been on the desk for just over 2 weeks in person now.
The analyst on the desk seemed like a nice enough guy at first, but I’ve found him to be very cold recently, which is especially bizarre because when the VP / Director / MD are out, we get along really well / shoot the shit.
Basically it’s been a pain in the ass getting my systems set up, learning how to do all the shit he does, etc. I do think some of the frictions come from my end - maybe I could’ve pushed more on tech to get my stuff implemented, maybe I could’ve digested things better the first time he explained them to me. But on the other hand, I’m brand new to the desk. On the tech / systems side I have no idea who the right people to contact for help are and was hoping he’d act as more of a guide than blame me for not being “pushy” enough, and on the learning side I’m trying to drink water out of a firehose with the amount of information there is. I’m eager to learn but I feel sometimes he just expects me to know things.
Recently it’s gotten to the point where I ask him questions and he’ll act like I’m actually retarded or give me simple 1-word responses which are often technically correct but don’t contexualize / provide for a learning experience (i.e., you do B when A happens… but when I ask why, it’s as if I’m dumb for asking, he’ll be annoyed or he just won’t know).
The team seems to like him and he does seem like a competent analyst, even if it’s just in doing his job though he doesn’t fully understand the implications of some of what he does. For me it’s very important to have a conceptual understanding of things to be effective in my role. I find he rarely pulls me aside and shows me what he’s doing, and when I ask him to try to learn he’ll act annoyed or give an overly simplified explanation.
I feel like this is making me look bad for a variety of reasons and am concerned that when it comes time for me to do the shit he does, I won’t be ready.
What the fuck can I do in this situation? I feel his attitude toward me is spreading among the team as they’re starting to see him acting like I’m incompetent after two weeks of training. It’s really not setting a good tone for my analyst stint…
Have you developed a relationship with this person, or do you just nag when you have questions?
I appreciate that you want a conceptual understanding, their brain may not work like that. Have you ever communicated this with them?
I have put in effort to develop a relationship... actually thought I was doing pretty well. We've had some good times over the past couple weeks, maybe he was just having a bad day but was a total dick today (and can be, but only seems to consistently be when others around).
As it happens I did communicate that it's really important to me to have a conceptual understanding rather than just write down exactly how to do things and blindly do them. This was fairly early on.
It's entirely possible he was having a shit day, and you're getting a bit anxious too early.
Some things you can do to help keep things smooth:
- don't ask the same question twice
- try to Google shit first
- review old decks and models on your down time
- when you get coffee or something, offer to grab him one
- come with solutions ("hey, I came across this issue and here is how I think I can solve it, do you agree") vs. problems ("help, I don't know") - shows initiative and that you don't have your head up your ass
- thank him for his help, it's small but just saying thank you is impactful
- if he looks pissed, don't bother him, shoot him a note and ask when he might be free
Go out to lunch with him more and develop a more personal relationship
I spent the past two Fridays alone with him in the office and bought him lunch one of those days. On both Fridays we joked around a good amount and it seemed fine. Really not sure what switch has flipped but I thought we were on good terms.
Don't read into it. Just do a good job at work and he can't give you shit. He might be going through a divorce or sumtin, u never know
No he’s just the sigma male stereotype of lone wolf/cool guy who talks little (Punisher, Good Bad Ugly cowboy, John Wick, James Bond)
Bump, fucked is at it again
So I can tell you this, from someone that works in a physical commodities job. I've been on the other side (being a trainer person). But I was also the new analyst a few years ago.
It's very possible/likely that the analyst has been getting in shit from seniors for your performance. It doesn't mean your performance is actually bad or anything. Maybe the expectations for the learning curve are just too high.
If the analyst/trainer acts markedly less friendly when the seniors are around, it's probably because he/she doesn't want the perception of being too soft on you.
It's shitty and it's not fair. But this might be what's happening.
It's a super annoying situation. Nobody likes someone who is trying to help someone else out when the person doing the helping, the trainer in this case, is a complete asshole.
Overall, some things on your part:
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