In the world of banking, success is often measured by quiet achievements, not the loud boasts seen on LinkedIn. While the platform is filled with advice on escaping the rat race and finding purpose, the reality of investment banking is far more complex. Getting into this demanding career requires intellect, perseverance, and sacrifice. It's like lifting heavy weights in the gym; technique matters. Doing the right things the wrong way can cause damage that's hard to undo. So, how do you do it right?
First, if professional success genuinely brings you joy, then own that. If you've made it through the competitive exams, intense internships, and gruelling interviews, chances are you're intrinsically motivated by achievement. Don't let the posts on LinkedIn distort that motivation. Because, truth be told, most of what you see on LinkedIn falls into two camps: The Unscathed Linear Achievers, who've followed a smooth, upward trajectory, and The Marketeers and Pretenders, who project an image of constant triumph, often masking insecurity or instability.
Your barometer of success should never be someone else's highlight reel. It should be your own sense of achievement. Even the most successful in our industry have faced setbacks; from Deutsche Bank MDs to UBS or Citi veterans, and yes, even Jamie Dimon has had his share of challenges. The difference between those who falter and those who endure lies in humility, self-awareness, and the ability to rebuild.
Companies can take away your title, but they cannot erase your learning. I've seen managing directors (MDs) at bulge brackets reinvent themselves as teachers, entrepreneurs, or advisors. The real winners aren't the ones constantly marketing themselves online. They're the ones who bounce back with grace, silently, steadily, and with renewed purpose. Respect, after all, is earned through delivery and relationships, not through digital applause.
I've also learned that the real winners always have time. I've networked extensively, and every time I've thoughtfully reached out to a Goldman Sachs MD, they've made time for an in-person meeting, offered feedback, or shared perspective. Even when I was switching careers, they engaged with genuine interest. It's a shame that the public face of our profession doesn't always reflect the ones who are experts, confident in their craft, and generous enough to give their time to people who are passionate about the industry.
So, isolate your own sense of fulfillment. Find it in the work itself; structuring a novel deal, uncovering a new research angle, or engaging with a fascinating client. You don't need to be a rainmaker all the time; there's merit in simply being a keen observer. Sometimes, that perspective brings the balance so many of us chase.
And if things go wrong and you're laid off, passed over, or left behind, remember this: very few in this field face real financial peril. That's already a position of ultra privilege. The world may not always be fair, but don't let that consume you. The people who truly matter won't judge you based on a LinkedIn post.
In the end, the quiet achievers always outlast the loud prophets. And let's be clear; none of this means giving up ambition. The choice to be happy and stay happy lies in mastering the right technique, just like in the gym. Learn to separate the joy that comes from professional achievement from the joy that comes from the rest of your life: your kids, your partner, holidays, adventures, sport, or whatever gives you a sense of meaning beyond the office. And if professional success takes a setback, fall back on these very rooms of joy; that's what keeps your balance intact.
Otherwise, you're just training for a lifelong injury; physically, emotionally, or both.
