Pros
They reward ambition and drive. They also have an expectation that you will compete against and support your team-mates at the same time. You will definitely get exposed to some very marketable skills. If you have ever worked somewhere else, you just might be amazed at how professional this outfit is. It is not uncommon for someone to leave, then try to get back in. The grass is definitely not greener on the outside. When there are disagreements with colleagues, it is expected that you will address the issue and resolve the issue. It feels like a healthy family to me.
Cons
It is tough to be successful just working 8 - 5. Lots of pressure to perform at a high level and sustain that over time - not easy. Some big hitters get away with some fairly arrogant behavior that would not be tolerated if they were not bringing in so many pelts. Lately, as things have gotten tough in the market, we seem to be curling up a bit and not making it safe for our partners to do their best work. It feels guarded right now, and I believe we need to be more aggressive than our competitors. Not all of the managers know how to communicate effectively in order to inspire workers.