I have this newish boss. I’m kind of shy, he seems kind of shy. If I see him down the hall we’ll do the obligatory head nod and then he immediately looks down, expressionless.
Now, I know it’s taboo to have extended eye contact with somebody you don’t know very well. Epecially if they are of the same sex. Can be linked to intimidation or aggression, or attraction. And that could be all it is, that he’s trying to avoid.
But I usually at least make some effort to look friendly, maybe put a little smile on my face, eyes straight ahead when not contacting The way he does it just kind of looks avoidant and maybe a bit unfriendly.
Is he generally looking down before he sees you? I do that, in general, rather than holding my head high. Especially when I’m thinking about something/day dreaming.
I agree with everyone else that he’s shy. I don’t find anything at all unfriendly about his behavior. But I’m sure plenty of others agree with you and think I’m unfriendly, too. At least I’m old enough now that random people have mostly quit telling me to “smile” or “cheer up”- though I think women get that more, anyway. It’s irritating. I’m minding my own business, but other people don’t seem inclined to do the same.
But he did acknowledge his employee. He nodded a greeting. That’s acknowledgement.
However, I never said he was qualified to manage people. I’m sure not. When I had my first appraisal and we talked about the direction I wanted to take, I was very upfront that I’m a programmer and did not in any sense ever want to manage people.
I didn’t say he was a good or qualified boss, though. I said he didn’t seem unfriendly. Those are two different things.