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This isn’t an easy job. Sounds like you got some great feedback if you want to make it in IB.
Publicize the advancements you are making, continue to learn skills, don’t “cover” for associates (though you may have to re-do their work).
If you build the relevant IB skills you *will* succeed, but be humble and know you have a huge amount to learn.
Nobody likes to hear bad things about themselves, that is totally normal. I would be concerned it is trying to highlight issues so when it comes time for that promotion, that is what they’ll be bringing up. On the other hand, it could be an amazing thing that they are being blunt about it, giving you the insight and opportunity to improve.
He’s not wrong. But was it constructive or attacking? For me, I always size up the person to provide feedback, then I frame my feedback in the best approach that they feel seen and heard. Just note that you should never question and always double down. You just get better from the effort you put in.
I would follow his advice. Giving you this feedback presumably means he thinks you are capable of meeting the high standards required
He probably felt the other guy wasn’t, so no point in giving detailed feedback.
At the same time getting praise and positive feedback is also important when you do well, hopefully he is doing that also. You spend a lot of time in the office.
Keep your head up! Take those negative feedbacks and use that in your favor.
So a bit of an update, I spoke to my Director (basically my career counselor to advocate promotion) and he said just keep the trend I’m going, do good work in the coming months, and I could be slightly overthinking this. He did say the VP didn’t think I was ready for the promo though. I don’t know if I really should take his word on me “overthinking” to be quite honest, the words felt more placating than reassuring. He said he’ll ask my two other MDs about where I stand for my next meeting in the meantime
I tried to reach out to the VP today to discuss more directly how I can contribute more meaningfully but he didn’t respond. Sure he could be busy but I think he doesn’t want to support me so I’m just gonna go p much full send on finding another role. I’ll still try my best here but I think it’s probably best to look elsewhere.
Update v2: he did eventually speak with me, I was very forthright and owning the feedback he gave, he appreciated it and said I at least had a good attitude with it. He gave me some additional work and said I did them perfectly so I’m on a good track so far. I feel the feedback he gave was way more blunt than necessary but at least it wasn’t as bad as I thought, so thanks guys for commenting.
Either way I dont know if I’ll stay here long term. I’m applying elsewhere while trying to do as good of a job as I can
Some times we can grow from direct criticism. However, if you do not feel like you are truly growing, criticism alone will simply prevent you from finding joy in what you do and loving the morning coffee to get wired to work! If you don't have an investment of time and effort in the part of the seasoned personnel you report to, then you will not grow. Criticism is like pennies, they are all useful, put them in a jar, gather them, take them to heart even if it is not true about you, because one day you may need that very piece of advise. Perhaps not now, but in the future!