The absent CEO

I have a very different kind of interaction experience with the CEO of my current company.

In the last two companies I worked with, I was pretty close to the CEO. I used to visit their office often, discuss work, life, and everything in between. The CEO used to come to office regularly, be involved in company matters, know their employees by name, and participate in company events.

But all I know about the CEO of my company in Dubai is his name. I hardly ever see him, and going in his office is out of question, even though his office is just five steps away from my seat. He shows up only two or three days in the month, and I seriously doubt he even knows my name, and what role I play in his organization.

I think that’s how it is in larger companies with hundreds and thousands of employees. The CEO only deals with his vice presidents. He has nothing to do with employees. I am not sure if this is good or not, but sometimes I really miss interacting with the CEO of the company.