At work there is a guy who is at the same level I am and is eager for advancement. So he is a total suck-up to the bosses. I don't work that way. I do my job and do it well and let that speak for me.

So, I happen to walk by a room at the office where they are doing some work, look inside to check it out and boss (two levels up) is in there. So he and I exchange small talk a bit, he explains to me what changes are being made, it's all good. We both leave, he turns out the lights and closes the door, here comes this guy. He sees us come out, immediately thinks (I assume) that I've gained some unfair advantage by having two minutes of one-on-one time with the boss, and immediately inserts himself. Starts talking to boss (not me) about the "new digs." I walk away, don't hear rest of conversation, but when I walk back and see this guy in the hall he doesn't even look at me. Jerk.

I hate that one-up instinct people have. I don't even "think" about him and I don't worry about him getting promoted over me, but that is clearly high on his list of concerns. I hate to tell him but he's already got an advantage because the boss is male and is one of those "good old boy" type of guys who seems to prefer promoting men.