Understanding where you stand with your boss can be challenging in a complex office environment. It can be hard to tell if they appreciate your work and effort. But what if you think your boss has feelings for you?
Since bosses must be fair, firm, and professional, it can be hard to tell if your boss likes you on a personal level. But don’t worry. We’re here to help.
In this article, we’ll unveil the secret signs your boss likes you but is hiding it. So read on if you want to uncover the truth behind those furtive glances and serene smiles.
1. Subtle Touches
Have you ever noticed your boss casually patting you on the back to appreciate your work? Or maybe they touch your hand while handing you a file or a report? While these incidents might seem accidental, they’re usually not!
Subtle touches like these might indicate that your boss likes you but is hiding it. Physical touch is a powerful and universal way to show someone you care about them without saying a word.
So next time you’re in a meeting with your boss, and they accidentally touch your hand or shoulder, pay attention, as it might not be accidental. It can be a hidden sign that they like you.
It’s also worth noting that every boss and workplace is different. For instance, if you notice your boss is doing the same with the rest of your coworkers, then it can be their way of showing appreciation and attention.
Physical contact in the workplace can be a sensitive topic, and setting boundaries and showing professionalism is crucial. Interpreting subtle touches as a sign of affection can lead to a messy situation.
2. They Hang Out by Your Cubicle
If your boss hangs out in your cubicle or spends more time near your desk, it can be a sign that they like you. For example, they might spend more time talking to you about your work or life.
You might also notice that instead of sending someone to deliver a file or a task to your desk, they deliver them themselves to find more time to visit your area.
If your boss likes you, they’ll find excuses to spend more minutes near you, whether they’re asking if you have any concerns about your tasks or just chatting and joking around.
3. Private Meetings
Is your boss inviting you to private meetings instead of group meetings? If they do, it could be a sign that they have feelings for you. Let’s say your boss invites you for a private meeting in their office, and they start talking about regular topics that are usually discussed in group meetings.
Why do you think that is? They might want to spend more time with you to get to know you better. They also might perceive you as a valuable team member and trust your judgment. In that case, it’s a sign that they appreciate your work and contributions.
But what if the private meetings are more personal or unrelated to work? Then it’s an obvious sign they’re into you and want to know more about your personal life than your professional one.
4. Favors and Special Treatments
Favors and special treatment from your boss may indicate that they like you or value your work contributions. Though, it’s crucial to consider the context and nature of such favors so there’s no misunderstanding.
For example, if your boss is granting you additional benefits such as a flexible schedule, or more opportunities to grow, it can be a sign that they appreciate your extra effort and hard work.
On the other hand, if the favors and unique treatments extend beyond work-related issues and get into your private life, it can be a sign that your boss has feelings for you.
But let me tell you this:
You should be mindful of how these favors and treatments affect your relationship with your colleagues. It might be cool to get some extra benefits, but it won’t be nice if these favors ignite feelings of jealousy or envy among your colleagues.
5. Suddenly Ignoring You
If your boss suddenly ignores you for no reason after giving you extra attention, it can be a telltale sign that they’re trying to hide their feelings. It’s similar to tough love.
For example, your boss has been friendly, talkative, and extra attentive to you. Then suddenly, they always try to avoid you. That might be because they’re afraid of saying or doing something that makes you feel uncomfortable.
It’s tricky when someone suddenly ignores you, and it gets even more complicated when they’re the boss. Why? Because you can never be sure if they’re doing it intentionally to gain attention, they’re just dealing with personal issues, or too busy to talk.
In that case, it would be best to talk it out with them and find out what the problem is.
6. Asking About Your Personal Life
It’s normal for bosses to get concerned about their employees’ personal lives. But they usually maintain a professional attitude and try not to ask private questions about it.
If you notice your boss is asking a lot about your personal life, it could be an indication that they want to know more about you.
For example, your boss might ask questions about your family, hobbies, and weekend plans to know if you’re a good match.
7. They Value Your Opinions
It’s no surprise that your boss asks for their employees’ thoughts and opinions on various matters. However, sometimes your boss might be extra attentive when asking about your input. That reflects their trust and respect for you.
If asking about your opinion is a regular occurrence, then your boss is clearly showing that they like to spend more time talking to you—which could be a sign that they like you.
8. Your Boss Is Extra Tough on You
Being extra tough on you is one of your boss’s last options to express their feelings. For instance, they may assign extra work on your behalf and criticize your performance, even if you’re doing well.
It’s still possible they’re doing this to motivate you to work harder and deliver better results, but it can be a sign of tough love if it’s all out of the blue.
If you think your boss is overloading you with work and criticizing your performance for no reason, it’s essential to analyze the situation and ask them about their expectations.
If you think they’re reasonable, maybe it’s time to step up your game. If not, it’s likely an attempt to hide their feelings for you.
9. They Laugh at Your Jokes
Let’s face it. When we like someone, we tend to find them much funnier than they are. So, it’s one of the most apparent signs of a crush when someone laughs at your jokes, especially the silly ones.
If your boss is constantly laughing at your jokes and stories, there’s a high chance they have feelings for you. Don’t get me wrong, you might be funny, but if you think someone is laughing at your jokes more than others, it’s a clear attempt to make a personal connection with you.
10. They Give You Positive Feedback
It’s normal for bosses to give positive feedback to their employees to praise their high-quality work. However, not all bosses are good at it, and some don’t provide any feedback.
If you notice your boss is taking the time and effort to give you constructive and detailed feedback on your performance, it’s because they care about your growth and development.
If your boss isn’t taking the same time to praise other employees, it can be a clear sign they like you but aren’t showing it.
11. Body Language
Body language is a powerful indicator of how someone feels toward you, and of course, your boss isn’t an exception.
While many people make mountains out of molehills when it comes to interpreting body language, some telltale body language signs indicate your boss likes you:
- Leaning toward you in meetings
- Extended eye contact during conversations
- Mirroring your gestures and body language
- Nodding and showing active listening cues
- Uncontrollable smiles and laughter
- Standing or sitting closer to you
- Fidgeting a lot when around you
While body language isn’t the definitive measure of feelings and intuitions, observing how your boss’s body language changes when you’re around might help you understand their feelings for you.
12. Texts and Calls After Work
It’s normal for bosses to call or text their employees after working hours to ask about something or check on their progress.
But what if you’re consistently getting random texts and phone calls from your boss after work hours? What if these texts and calls are mostly not about work?
In such situations, your boss might be trying to show their feelings for you. They want to keep up the communication even after you leave the office.
Maybe your boss is a workaholic who can’t stop thinking about work and his employees even after leaving the office. But in case you notice your boss is randomly contacting you without mentioning anything about work, there’s a high chance they like you on a personal level.
13. He Talks About His Personal Life
Do you feel you know too much about your boss’ personal life? Are they mentioning family problems and personal issues too much?
We all prefer to share our concerns and thoughts with the ones we trust. So if you think your boss is telling you too much, there’s a chance that they like you and want to get closer.
However, you should always be cautious in assessing such situations. For instance, if they only opened up a few times, it might be because they’re stressed out and wanted to speak with anyone.
On the other hand, if they’re always sharing personal information with you specifically, it can be a sign that they like you.
14. Your Gut Feeling
Trusting your gut feeling is valuable in various situations, and if you think your boss is attracted to you, you’re most likely correct. That’s because your gut feeling is based on your past experiences and knowledge; it’s not something that comes out of nowhere.
You might have worked under many bosses, but you get this unique vibe from one manager. For example, you feel like they’re treating you better than others or making excuses to engage in a conversation with you. In such cases, your boss might be holding you in high regard.
However, you have to look for other signs, and not only rely on your gut feeling. Your intuition might make you doubt that your boss likes you, but you must look for other signs to be sure and avoid awkward interactions with them.
15. Jealousy
Jealousy is one of the most obvious signs of love and attraction. When it comes to your boss, many signs might indicate his jealousy.
Those can include:
- Hanging around at your desk for no reason
- Checking up on you
- Hot and cold behavior
- Acting needy
Note that feelings of jealousy shouldn’t be in a healthy work environment. So it’s not likely for your boss to show such feelings unless they’re really struggling to hide their emotions towards you.
16. Compliments
When you like someone, you impulsively try to let them know how much you admire them. Your boss might admire your work or performance, but when it comes to compliments unrelated to your work, it’s not the same.
For example, when your boss constantly compliments your outfit, haircut, accessories, or make-up, it clearly shows they like you.
But, what if they’re just being friendly?
Your boss might drop one or two positive compliments on your look a few times as a friendly gesture. However, if they’re consistently complimenting your look, work, and character, it’s not a casual compliment anymore. Instead, it’s a sign they’re noticing you differently.
17. Unnecessary Gifts
While we all love it when someone appreciates our work, receiving unexpected gifts from your boss can signify something else.
Companies often have incentive schemes to reward their employees for their hard work, so there’s no obvious reason to receive a gift from your boss unless they’re personally trying to impress you.
Your boss might say that the gift is a token of their appreciation for your hard work. However, if other employees don’t receive similar gifts, there’s a high chance your boss likes you.
In that case, it would be best to communicate with your boss thoroughly, whether you’re accepting the gift or not. That’s because if other colleagues know about such secret gifts, they might start feeling jealous and uncomfortable, which creates an unhealthy work environment.
18. They Make Time for You
If your boss makes time for you, whether for a short chat or a long conversation, it can be a telltale sign that they care. It indicates that they appreciate you and want to spend more time with you.
Let me explain more. Your boss might review your work more, offer help with simple tasks, or stay late at work to help you with a project.
It’s like they’re trying to show you that they’re willing to invest their precious time to be with you. Such extra efforts usually indicate that your boss likes you but is hiding it.
19. Always Seeking Your Advice and Opinion
When your boss involves you in important decisions or seeks your advice in work-related matters, it’s a sign that they respect your judgment. But what if they keep asking for your advice on trivial matters?
For instance, they ask you to help them choose their outfit for an event or help them decide what to eat for lunch. They’re not asking for your opinion on everything because you’re an expert. It’s because they like you and value your insights.
20. He Trusts You With Important Tasks
This sign can be tricky to interpret. If your boss often entrusts you with crucial tasks and projects, it strongly indicates their faith in your skills and abilities.
Though, if your boss involves you in personal and professional matters more than others, it can be a sign that they like you.
For instance, they share critical work secrets with you for no reason or maybe share information about their personal life with you. Why do you think that is? It’s a way to show that you matter to them and that you’re not like other employees.
To Sum Up
Recognizing the subtle cues that indicate your boss likes you can be beneficial in building a stronger professional relationship with them.
If you pay attention to these 20 signs your boss likes you but is hiding it, you can better understand your boss’s perspective and decide how you’ll be interacting with them.