I started my new job today at a pretty small company (maybe 25 people or so in the office). At a meet and greet held for me and another new colleague, I very briefly meet the CEO (who is well-known in my industry and thus a bit intimidating). By very briefly, I mean, "Hi, my name is ____" and that's it.
Later, after my lunch break, I ran into him in the building lobby. It was only the two of us. He was looking at his phone, and didn't see my until I was about to enter the elevator. He let me go in first. Awkwardness ensued. Being the CEO, I was intimidated and didn't say anything. I would have spoken if he started small talk, but didn't.
Would you have stayed quiet as well?
Now I feel weird because we'll have to see each other all the time and we clearly avoided talking to each other in the elevator. Way to start my first day...