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> Meg also had a conference room nearby reserved for her use

If someone needs to hold frequent meetings or be on phone calls, there's nothing wrong with giving them a closed door office.

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If someone needs a quiet space to focus, there's nothing wrong with giving them a closed door office.

Sure… but I feel like symbolism like this isn’t without merit.

What is the merit here?

To some degree, a gesture towards fairness and solidarity. Don't ask your people to work in conditions that you won't.

I think a gesture is actually worse. They can say, hey look, I'm just like you. If I can work like this so can you. So buck up. When in fact they can go into their reserved conference room any time they want. Or not even use their bigger cube with 2 assistants. Just get the corner office and keep your gestures.

I'd agree that attempts at such gestures are a calculated risk, and when they backfire the result is worse than doing nothing. But I expect it's at least possible to sell it hard enough that you win over most of the people most of the time.

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