I don't believe associates should know whether they're working late.
Knowing creates expectations.
At 6:00 PM yesterday, I told my team:
“Nothing urgent tonight. Go enjoy yourselves.”
Three associates actually left.
Disgusting display of trust.
At 10:53 PM I emailed:
“Quick question.”
No attachment.
No explanation.
Just enough information to make every phone on the Upper West Side vibrate simultaneously.
One associate replied from dinner.
One replied from an Uber.
The first-year replied in 11 seconds.
I waited until 11:47.
Then wrote:
“Never mind. Figured it out.”
There was no question.
Sometimes I just like knowing 12 people stopped at once because my name appeared on their lock screen.
You don't make equity partner for the compensation.
You make equity partner so you can become a weather event.