3 Ways to Keep Your Competitive Edge Without Losing Your Humanity

It seems like investment banking, and professionals in the industry, have become a parody of the “Greed is good” mentality that was so popular in the 80s and 90s. However, it’s still possible to be a player – without becoming a classic Scrooge in the process – by keeping your perspective, even while you still have your eye on the prize.

1. Never forget where you came from.

The picture of the farm boy who gets into a good school, moves to the Big City, finds success and loses himself in the process is the stuff of Hollywood movies, but it isn’t too far off the mark. There seems to be a need to distance oneself from humble beginnings in order to fit into the culture of success. This is especially true during college, and in the first few years of career building.

It’s easy to be caught up in the i-banking culture, especially when you’re just starting out and trying to find your footing. There are definitely trappings that come along with the need to present an image of wealth and power – acquiring the ‘tools of the trade,’ as one publication put it – and the insular environment that can leave you feeling cut-off from the average person. However, the most successful men and women in the business aren’t the ones who use the accoutrements of wealth to overcompensate for a perceived lack of meaning in their lives.

The real successes are those who find balance, who keep in touch with old friends, and make new friends who aren’t in the world of finance. Outside activities, like getting involved in a charity, are not only a good addition to your CV; they also help keep you grounded and aware of the realities of the world beyond Wall Street. Veteran i-bankers like Warren Stephens and others often sit on the board of charities and trusts, or form their own, as a way of giving back to the community and investing in future generations, so it’s also a good career move.

2. Keep it 100 and do you.

It’s not unheard of to work 80 – 90 hours a weeks when you’re in a fast-paced, results-driven career, and that’s also a part of what contributes to that insular environment where nothing exists outside of the next trade or set of stats. Although there is a certain amount of acting and schmoozing involved in any business climate, it’s important to remain true to your standards and take care of yourself. Any high-powered, high-dollar industry is going to have its share of sharks, but you don’t have to become one of them to survive. In fact, allowing yourself to become absorbed buy a climate of accumulation and elitism can come back to bite you in the end. When you’re authentic, it shows in everything you do. It may even help you stand out from the crowd.

Aside from retaining your core values and cultivating a sense of humility instead of entitlement, it’s also essential to step back from the fray and practice self-care. Living to work comes with its own set of consequences, and you don’t want to become a casualty of success without ever having the opportunity to truly enjoy the fruits of it. Stopping to smell the roses may be cliché, but it only takes a few seconds, and you’ll get a great ROI.

3. Look at the bigger picture.

No one is infallible, but it’s common in your 20s, and even into your 30s, to think of yourself as invincible. However, no one facing a major crisis – be it health, financial, or family – ever wished that they’d spent more time at the office. This ties in with remembering your roots and keeping it real. It’s easy to loose perspective in the go-go world of attainment and climbing to the top in your field. However, in your quest to be the best, don’t lose sight of the little things.

When you think about it, each of us is just one drop in a sea of humanity, trying to get by on a big blue and green rock that’s hurtling through space. Money may be able to buy things that are a substitute for happiness – it certainly makes life more comfortable – and there’s nothing wrong with the kind of success that brings material wealth. Nevertheless, it can also be gone in the blink of an eye, and then what have you got?

The new breed of investment bankers are an example of how to be successful in a highly competitive field without losing your humanity in the process. Stereotypes are rooted in truth, and often become a situation of the tail wagging the dog. In the end, it also comes down to trust: trust in yourself and in who you are, and you will foster trust in your clients and associates. You can still exude success while standing up to preconceived notions and to become a different kind of maverick.

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Adam

Adam runs the grooming section at Unfinished Man, where he reviews the latest hair, skin, and shave products for men. With a passion for men's grooming, he continuously tests shampoos, conditioners, gels, moisturizers, razors, and more. Adam provides knowledgeable, trustworthy recommendations to help readers upgrade their routines. His background in evaluating hundreds of products makes him an expert on finding the best innovations for every guy's needs.

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