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31/10/2026

The best person in an interview isn’t necessarily the best person for the job.

And yet, we make some of the biggest decisions about people’s careers based on a conversation lasting less than an hour. Sometimes as little as 15 minutes.

Which raises an interesting question: How much of professional success is ability, and how much is our ability to convince other people of it?

I asked Mush Ali, founder of One Ten Associates, what really makes a good interview after more than two decades observing hiring decisions in banking and alternative investments.

But our conversation went well beyond interviews - into ambition, reputation, why people really change jobs, and the unwritten rules that shape careers in finance.

🎙️ Our full conversation on The Escalation Podcast is now available on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

DM me and I will send you the link to the full episode.

22/10/2026

Hi, my name is Edyta and I’ve been an in-house lawyer since 2011. From Credit Suisse to Man Group to my own legal consulting business.These are the four skills I’d vouch for:

1. Commercial judgment.
That’s probably the number one skill you will hear you should develop, yet no one explains what it really means. It’s about knowing your client, and making their business your business. Then helping them separate the risks they need to worry about from the ones they can live with.

2. Translating complex into simple.
You will deal with complex matters on a daily basis. The business, however, doesn’t need all of the details. Your key stakeholders need to know what it means for them and what to do next. Practice translating complex into simple - if you can’t explain it in plain words, you probably don’t understand it well enough yet.

3. Saying no, and meaning it.
Assertiveness is not my virtue. I used to say yes to pretty much everything. Every request, every deadline, every “quick question.” It felt like being helpful. But it was the fastest route to burnout. Be selective - once you start respecting your own time, everyone around you will do the same.

4. Investing in relationships.
Whatever industry you’re in, it always comes down to people. The trader who calls you before the deal. The colleague in risk who walks you through the numbers. Your opposing counsel. Soon you will realise it’s a small world and the people you meet on the way up have a habit of reappearing. So invest in people. It’s the best return you’ll ever see.

In-house lawyers: what’s the skill you’d add? 👇

22/10/2026

Hi, my name is Edyta and I’ve been an in-house lawyer since 2011. From Credit Suisse to Man Group to my own legal consulting business.These are the four skills I’d vouch for:

1. Commercial judgment.
That’s probably the number one skill you will hear you should develop, yet no one explains what it really means. It’s about knowing your client, and making their business your business. Then helping them separate the risks they need to worry about from the ones they can live with.

2. Translating complex into simple.
You will deal with complex matters on a daily basis. The business, however, doesn’t need all of the details. Your key stakeholders need to know what it means for them and what to do next. Practice translating complex into simple - if you can’t explain it in plain words, you probably don’t understand it well enough yet.

3. Saying no, and meaning it.
Assertiveness is not my virtue. I used to say yes to pretty much everything. Every request, every deadline, every “quick question.” It felt like being helpful. But it was the fastest route to burnout. Be selective - once you start respecting your own time, everyone around you will do the same.

4. Investing in relationships.
Whatever industry you’re in, it always comes down to people. The trader who calls you before the deal. The colleague in risk who walks you through the numbers. Your opposing counsel. Soon you will realise it’s a small world and the people you meet on the way up have a habit of reappearing. So invest in people. It’s the best return you’ll ever see.

In-house lawyers: what’s the skill you’d add? 👇

commercialjudgment

It’s been quiet on here lately. This is why.The HFM European Summit. An intense couple of days, where I fully step into...
13/10/2026

It’s been quiet on here lately. This is why.

The HFM European Summit. An intense couple of days, where I fully step into my business / SME mode as founder of FIT Legal.

Every time I step onto a big stage to represent my company, there’s a moment where it all feels surreal. The stage fright. The imposter syndrome. The fear of not doing (well) enough.

In those moments I remind myself: I don’t have to do any of this - I get to.

I get to meet incredible people.
I get to stand on that stage.
I get to talk about my passion.
I get to do this work.

And at this year’s summit, I even got to have my caricature drawn by the brilliant Sassy Steve - swipe for the evidence.

One word changes everything.

Feeling grateful, privileged and very inspired.

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