Does height affect your career?

[NewJeffCT]

One of my wife's best friends has been pretty successful in her career so far - she has an MBA and landed a good job out of college in the late 90s when the Clinton boom was still in full swing. She has also done well for herself at her two companies - both are very large, well known corporations - and has a great work ethic.

However, she's gotten concerned lately that her lack of height is holding her back - she claims to be 5'2", but is more likely closer to 5'0" to 5'1" - but, I think she's wrong in that regards. She's an attractive, personable woman.

I think it's somewhat cultural, as she's Chinese, like my wife, and in China, somebody that is tall is usually considered more attractive and successful based on height alone. However, in the US, women of a more petite stature are often considered more attractive because they're smaller, and I've known some pretty high level women in the various places I've worked that are pretty short.

I did a google search and came up with a mixed bag of answers - some say "yes" and some say "no" and others say "yes" for men, but not so much for women.

What do people think here in the Lounge?

[abq e streeter]

1. Not just career; many aspects of life.

Definitely affects men . Everything from short men making significantly less money in their lifetimes to lower rates of marriage. All the way to the taller presidential candidate winning most of the time. Even the old cliche of women looking for Mr. "tall, dark and handsome". Note which one of those is listed first. Short men are often seen and treated, even if just subconsciously, as lesser beings than their taller counterparts.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

2. more than likely it is her age moreso than her height at this point.

[NewJeffCT]

12. she did make a comment before

because she travels an ungodly amount for her job that she's noticed that men don't offer to help her as much with her luggage in the airport anymore.

[dawg]

3. I don't think it matters much for women.

With men, it's a much bigger deal. (Much to my chagrin)

[raccoon]

4. Disagree with what you said about women, Dawg--my new boss (woman) is about 5-7.

I know, anecdotal, but IMO it is generally true. DOesn't matter AS MUCH for women, but
IMO it does matter.

[dawg]

7. Oh, I'm sure it affects women, too.

My thoughts are that height and physical attractiveness affect both sexes in the workplace. But I suspect it is better to be a tall, ugly man, whereas it would be better to be a short, pretty woman. In other words, I think people key on attractiveness more with women and height more with men.

Of course, YMMV.

[NewJeffCT]

11. my first boss out of college

was a woman that was 5'2" or 5'3" and in her early 30s at the time - she went on to a pretty successful career from what I remember. (wow, she's in her mid 50s now, I just realized)

[NV Whino]

5. Let's just say being short is hard

in some careers.

[NewJeffCT]

10. she works in a corporate/business environment

for a very well known company. It's not like she's in modeling or the WNBA.

[Bake]

6. Career-wise, taller is better (up to a point, of course).

Tell your friend to get some stilettos.

:hi:

Bake

[KamaAina]

8. Well, so far my 3'8" friend is doing all right

she's a university professor.

As a matter of fact, today's her birthday! :party:

[NewJeffCT]

9. Happy Birthday to her

and glad she is doing well.

[RedCloud]

13. Yes. 50 ft. tall people are invariably attacked by our military.

[applegrove]

14. Malcolm Gladwell wrote about this. I think he said it is true for men.

[RebelOne]

15. Not working now. I am retired, but height was never a problem

in my working years. I am 5'3", but I always wore 3-inch heels.

[Lady President]

16. I think so

Just what I've seen out in the world without scientific proof...

I work at a big company, and we jokingly call senior leadership the "44 Long Club". All the execs are taller than average, but not super tall.

As 5'10" woman, I don't think it works the same for us. I think there are men who are still intimidated by tall women. I can't change it (and wouldn't if I could).

[NewJeffCT]

17. how about other women, though?

My wife's friend's boss is a woman, and the CEO of the company is also a woman.

[Shagbark Hickory]

18. Deleted message. Name removed.

[Nikia]

19. I think that short people aren't taken as seriously

It really isn't about being attractive. Many people think of short people as more childlike, regardless of age, or as weaker. I don't think that she is completely out of luck, but she might have to work harder to prove herself.

[dimbear]

20. If you stay high all the time you're prolly OK. It's going up and down that gets you fired.

Mostly for routine type jobs, tho. Not the neurosurgeon types.

[cherokeeprogressive]

21. Short people got... no reason...

Short People got no reason
Short People got no reason
Short People got no reason
To live

They got little hands
And little eyes
And they walk around
Tellin' great big lies
They got little noses
And tiny little teeth
They wear platform shoes
On their nasty little fett

Well, I don't want no Short People
Don't want no Short People
Don't want no Short People
Round here
----------

Nope.