We’re Not Peers

New MBA associate took me for coffee to establish expectations. His words. I’m a 3rd-year analyst. He’d been on the desk 9 days.

Said he wanted a collaborative relationship but we needed to respect the reporting structure. Apparently I’d undermined him by answering a question the director had directed at him. He had been looking at me for the answer. Full eye contact. I thought we were doing the normal thing where I help you.

Fine. Won’t happen again.

Next meeting, director asks how we got to the valuation range. Associate says we triangulated across multiple methodologies. Director says yes, which ones. Associate looks at me. I look at my notes. He says perhaps I can provide some additional color.

I provide the entire fucking color.

Afterward he tells me I need to get better at reading the room. I ask whether he wants me to answer questions or not. Says it’s situational and I’ll develop that judgment with experience.

That afternoon the director calls and asks how much of the associate’s work I’m having to do. I ask if this is confidential. He says they’re asking the experienced analysts before the probation reviews. So now I have 2 assignments. Help this man look competent in front of the director, and privately tell the director whether he’s competent.

Associate sees the call on my screen and messages asking what the director wanted. Says I need to keep him looped in on conversations about the team.

For once I genuinely don’t know what to put in the update.