It's not so good being a subordinate (8)
I believe the answer is:
inferior
'a subordinate' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
I don't understand the rest of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for inferior that I've seen before include "Of lesser quality" , "Poorer in quality" , "Second-class" , "Of poor quality" , "Lower in standard or rank" .)