CEO Pretends I Don't Exist

So my firm's CEO sits in our office location. He is in today with the CFO talking about whatever C suites talk about. I have not met either before but knew they sat here.

CEO has continually walked by my cube, knowing I am here, and has not introduced himself. Is that typical of a senior executive? To pretend juniors don't exist? He knows I am a COVID hire coming to the office for the first few times but today he just continually walks by without a word. Even the CFO briefly said hello over the top of my cube. There are only 4 of us in the office today, so I'm like wtf is the deal? He even walked by me when I was outside getting lunch. Throws his eye contact to some random on the street while we pass each other so he doesn't have to look at me.

Of course I'm not trying to be best friends with the CEO, but when your firm is on the SJW wave (I am a minority), you would think he would try to reach out at least once. 

What gives? Maybe he's just a fake SJW dickhead?

30 Comments
 

I wouldn't automatically call him a racist for not acknowledging your existence. I agree it is strange he doesn't even say hello, but it is unfair to call him a racist. It's kind of funny but a similar thing happened to me. I'm an intern, at a really small firm and the CEO didn't even know I was an intern there until like two months in when he asked why I was sitting in the office and not doing anything. 

 

Understandable, but it was made clear I would be introduced to him.

It definitely sounds like you're not being assertive enough. You've had several chances to introduce yourself. 

"If you always put limits on everything you do, physical or anything else, it will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them." - Bruce Lee
 

I used to sit on the CEOs floor in a different company and nobody introduced us, we kept nodding at each other when somebody held the door open.
Then, one day, we were both having a cup of water at the water cooler and I just said hi, introduced myself and from then on he knew me and greeted me with "Hi (name), how are you?"

Seniority was never an issue. No CEO should ever think that people beneath him are not relevant, important or worth less than them. In a very large company, CxO are unable to know every single name, obviously.

 

I’ve worked a summer job where the owner of the hotel wouldn’t talk to staff members. I remember saying good morning to him and he looked at me like “why are you talking to me?”.

If I were in your situation, I’d be like “oh, another asshole” and just move on with my job. It’s probably not something you did.

Some execs are just like that.

 

intern_forever_x

I've worked a summer job where the owner of the hotel wouldn't talk to staff members. I remember saying good morning to him and he looked at me like "why are you talking to me?".

If I were in your situation, I'd be like "oh, another asshole" and just move on with my job. It's probably not something you did.

Some execs are just like that.

This is more than likely the case. Again, no big deal but I had higher expectations for this guy.

 

Synergy_or_Syzygy

Introduce yourself!

Definitely. Introducing yourself allows one to completely be in control of the first impression, so definitely think about what to say and make that good impression. 

"If you always put limits on everything you do, physical or anything else, it will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them." - Bruce Lee
 
Most Helpful

The most successful CEOs are the opposite of this guy. They tend to be outgoing and really want to interact with junior employees. In one of my old firms, I respected the shit out of the CEO. He started as an analyst back in the day and knew what we experienced. First time I met him, we talked about our respective schools. Mine is good in basketball generally. A month went by and I never heard from him. During the NCAA tournament, we won in the first round. He sent me an informal email saying "Nice win! Drinks are on you then huh!". It was pretty shocking because he remembered me considering we had no less than 500 employees.

 

Whoa.  Wait a second.  The CEO of a company walks by and you EXPECT him to drop what he is doing, turn on a dime and make a bee line for your cube because...why again?

Im being serious for a second.  Do you not see an issue with this statement?  Can you not smell the entitlement around your original post.  "He should come to me and shake my hand because I am special." Seriously?

Either nut up or shut up.

See him in the elevator?  "I dont think i have introduced myself.  Hello Im entitled poster.  It is a pleasure to meet you."

Genetal rule of thumb.  Mohammad goes to the mountain.  The mountain doesnt come to Mohammad.

The days of participation trophies and hugs are over.  

Namaste. D.O.U.G.
 

I came in thinking the CEO is just rude/odd but seeing your replies I can't help but also think you're on the spectrum 

To live is to suffer, to survive is to find some meaning in the suffering.
 

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