Dear Elpha community, I am quite confused now and quite negatively thinking there will never be a dream job but I do see you really passionate about what you do. I hope the community can help me pointing out the right direction.

I have been working in the big bank in the UK for 6 years now.

1) First 3 years I was in graduate scheme of a role at back office to learn everything about balance sheet. Especially on the Investment Banking side.

2) The next 2.5 years I was still at back office but look at data analytics from trading book point of view.

3) I have switched to a product manager role at consumer banking 3 months ago due to

a) Trading book data doesn't associate with me personally and all I was doing just to contribute to the right balance sheet number

b) The environment at trading side was quite toxic and I have nothing in common with the majority surroundings

Although I did meet people inspired me by their thought process and solution provided.

Moving to consumer banking side did have nicer people but there is a problem that they are not inspiring to me at all!

1) They don't have a clear logical thought process or solution proposal that I am impressed.

2) They are very slow in delivery or making progress in general. They like to have 1 hour meeting expressing opinions but after the meeting I don't see clear action points.

3) They are quite relaxed and they like to spend time on team offsite or drinks or socials for better team spirit.

I appreciate work life balance but I really see it is a waste of time and feel no satisfaction at work. Some of them are higher grade than me but I can do a better delivery compare to them.

The only gaps I see compare to them are that:

1) They are so good at talking around and they can talk things sounds so beautifully even they don't know or factually incorrect (English is my 2nd language)

2) They have more knowledge or relevant contacts because they are there longer than me.

I feel I should make a change but I don't know which path should be good for me. Would a start up type companies suit me that delivery focus and actively seeking for solutions for problem. However I heard that there is no work life balance at the start up.

I would really appreciate your advice and thanks for your time on reading it.