Associates: Do you want partners to ask questions about your personal life? I don’t mean, like, hey do you have a girlfriend/boyfriend... more the “any fun plans this weekend” kind of thing.

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I feel like this question is often followed by "Cool we have this deal we need you for..." no matter the answer.

That said, I much prefer a Partner that acts pleasant and at least acknowledges we exist rather than those who barely look at you.

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Thanks, all. This is actually really helpful. Since becoming a partner a few years ago I’ve found myself less and less comfortable showing any interest in associates’ real lives — particularly the junior ones — because I worry about them feeling like (1) they HAVE to talk to me on a social level, (2) I’m being intrusive by asking about anything but work, and/or (3) I’m being creepy. On that last point I’ve heard some horror stories from my PGL about “innocent” conversations being misconstrued — though of course I’ve only heard his take.

Just trying to be a decent partner to work with! And I hear you about only showing up when I have an assignment... I’m definitely guilty of that. Will try to change!

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Relevant follow up is in relation to an earlier comment stating that partners appeared to only show superficial interest as build up to an assignment.

For me it’s always nice when the partner starts by volunteering a bit of personal info about themselves, e.g. “I’m taking my kids/spouse to abc and then we’re doing xyz, how about you?” That’s how I know they might genuinely want to know and aren’t 100% using this as a bs small talk prelude to dump work on me (even though that might happen anyway)

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Yes definitely! One of the most demoralizing parts of this job is that the partners never do. There are definitely a few questions that could be intrusive (do you plan to have children?) and I would wonder why they wanted to know.

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The partners I’m closest to are the partners who know my social life and who’s life I know as well. Humanizes us.

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Any thoughts on when partners or clients reach out to connect on social media?

Case by case.

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