Words of Wisdom

A question I often get when coaching interview candidates or analysts starting out – “What’s something you wish you knew when you started?” After decades in banking, finance, and valuation, there’s a few things I keep coming back to:

· The model is never the answer. It helps you think. Building it correctly and getting it to balance feels great, but it's just step one.

· Preparation and enthusiasm beats pedigree. The most reliable people I've worked with weren't necessarily the smartest or the most decorated. They showed up ready, asked "what else can I do?", and never got caught off guard.

· Simple explanations build trust. If you can break something down clearly, people assume you understand it at a deep level.

· Focus on the downside. We chase upside but the best analysts I know obsess over what can go wrong.

· Curiosity compounds. The people who keep asking why, even years or decades into their careers, they are the ones usually still growing.

Nothing groundbreaking here. Happy Friday and stay curious my friends!