[JimboOmega]

While the math of options value may not always work out, the mindset - that I'm a real part of this thing - is why I got attracted to startups to begin with. Feeling like I own a non-negligible part of it is part of that feeling.

When companies act like that's not the case, whether in terms of compensation or in other ways... it really turns me off. For instance, at one ~10 person startup I worked at, it was common for "Senior Staff" to have closed-door meetings and try to keep us totally in the dark on what was going on, BigCo style.

I need to care about my company, and to feel like my company cares about me. Them letting me have a small slice of it is part of that equation. Acting like they can totally shaft me on cash compensation as a result... well that doesn't work, of course!