That's interesting.
I have a rather spineless, uninspired, and weak boss whom I am convinced is phobic about being exposed as being, well-- spineless, uninspired, and weak.
He has a terrible tendency to scratch, cup, and/or readjust his balls in public. He also likes to sit at his desk with only one foot on his desk creating (if you're the guy sitting across from him) a rather hard to miss crotch shot. Likewise, if you're sitting at your desk, he likes to come stand behind/beside you and put a leg up on anything (drawer, chair, trashcan) creating a situation where if you turn your head you will be face-to-face with his junk. I've long thought that this habit is purposely designed to remind his audience that he is a man and has a penis. Reinforcement of his status at the top of the pyramid even though he and I both know he's a bit of a fraud.
I'm not sure why your comment about sizing up the competition made me think of that vile habit of his, though I'm sure there is corollary there somewhere. Rather than 'sizing up' he is trying to assert dominance by drawing attention to himself.
That's my theory and I'm sticking to it.
