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The Institute of Social and Economic Research recently published a study about the connection between popularity in high school and earning power later in life. New York magazine, information source to the rich and popular, summarized the study like this: "This study may seem to burst our Revenge of the Nerds fantasies, but it's logical that people who are attractive, likable, and socially comfortable—the class officers, the cheerleaders—should get ahead in corporate settings."
There is absolutely irrefutable data to support the idea that good-looking people do better in life than everyone else. Gordon Patzer, in his book, Looks, draws from a wide body of research to describe the advantaged life of a good-looking person from the time they are a baby (good-looking babies get better parenting) to the time they are in sales (the whole sales team performs better if there are more good-looking people on the team.)
As a result, I have jumped on the plastic surgery bandwagon. Super-smarty Chelsea Clinton got plastic surgery before she entered the work world. We should all do that. And while I haven't taken my own advice, I do find myself pinching and pulling at my nose to see what it would look like after a $10,000 investment.
But wait. Before you take out a loan to straighten your nose, maybe you should just start thinking like a tall person. Being good-looking means having the right mix of a lot of things, and for you, being tall might be the final keystone to hold it all in place. (Wondering if you're already tall? Fast Company has the answer: over 6'3" for men and over 5'9" for women, which, by the way, makes me half-an-inch into the land of the tall.)
Tall people make $789 more per inch per year, and are 90% more likely to ascend to the CEO chairs of Fortune 500 Companies, according to Arianne Cohen, author of The Tall Book. She scoured the sociology, psychology and workplace research to determine why tall people succeed (she herself is 6'3"). And Cohen discovered that the behaviors tall people display can be mimicked by anyone in order to get the career benefits of being tall.
Here's what Cohen says to do, based on the research she's gathered:
Be unforgettable. Due to evolutionary programming, when a tall guy walks into a meeting, everyone registers that he's there, and remembers what he says. This is a huge boon for someone who's also an ambitious, talented worker. So be noticeable. Figure out a way that when you walk in the room, everyone registers it. You can do that through interesting (but professional) clothing, cracking jokes when you walk in, etc.
Act like the boss. Tall children, from a very young age, are deemed the "leader" of their friends. Other little kids literally look up to them and often treat them as they would a slightly older child, and as a result, they're more likely to function as the leader for the rest of their life. Even as interns, other office workers give them the physical space and attention usually reserved for a leader. So act like a leader.
Find a way to look down on coworkers. Literally. An eye cast down is a really powerful behavior — it's the body's way of signaling a power imbalance in your favor, and you can create that power imbalance with some attention to your positioning. Thus, stand whenever you can when coworkers are sitting, and avoid walk-and-talks and casual standing around the office where coworkers are looking down at you.
Guard your personal space. Close friends hold conversations 18" apart; friends 2-3' apart, and bosses and employees four feet apart. Coworkers naturally give tall people four-or-more feet, which means that from the beginning, they're treated with boss-like reverence. You can mimic this body language — simply send out the physical vibe of professionalism, not chumminess, even in casual conversation. You'll see that people step back, and give you more space.
Don't be shy. Tall people often build an oversize personality to fit their oversize bodies. In the workplace tall people are more likely to yell or make demands or pull off a tongue-in-cheek toast to the boss. Socially, they take chances, and those chances are rewarded.
Focus on image rather than competence. Tall people aren't actually better workers, but in surveys, their bosses think they are. Which means that though competence matters, the perception of competence matters much more. So stop spending so much time on your work, and start spending more time on this list of ways to look tall.
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On the Be Unforgettable point, consider what the pickup artists call peacockcing. It's annoying… but effective. There's a reason people who wear bow ties are memorable.
Posted by Anonymous on 06/16/2009 at 09:19am | permalink | Reply to this comment
Ha, this post is great. Especially because I'm a 5'10" woman :-)
I don't know if you would ever realize some of this stuff if you were short or of average height, but the difference in the way people address you is palpable. I can't vouch for making more than my colleagues, but I have experienced everything else.
Posted by J on 06/16/2009 at 09:28am | permalink | Reply to this comment
Lyndon Johnson knew how to use his height….
http://www.archives.gov/press/press-kits/picturing-the-century-photos/images/lbj-and-richard-russell.jpg
Posted by Erik on 06/16/2009 at 09:54am | permalink | Reply to this comment
reminds me of my south american-born, porsche-driving, married-to-a-hot-italian international business professor in uni. she repeatedly told the women in the class to wear really high heels in business situations for the added height. i feel more powerful when i am striding around in high heels. ironic because a person is probably more physically balanced and centered on flat shoes.
Posted by ayelet on 06/16/2009 at 09:58am | permalink | Reply to this comment
yet another reason why it sucks to be 6'3" tall..and confined to a wheelchair. (sigh)
Posted by Jay Schryer on 06/16/2009 at 10:07am | permalink | Reply to this comment
I'm 5 feet tall and have struggled with this one. When I attended the Business Roundtable's Project Springboard Meeting in Washington D.C. last week (we're advising the Obama administration on workplace issues), I was the shortest person there by at least six inches. I'm writing a column about first impressions this week and this was in the back of my mind the whole time. Thanks for shedding more light on it, Penelope.
Best,
Alexandra Levit
Author, They Don't Teach Corporate in College
Blogger, Water Cooler Wisdom
http://www.alexandralevit.com
Posted by Alexandra Levit on 06/16/2009 at 10:15am | permalink | Reply to this comment
Plastic surgery? Come on. I suppose that if someone has it done right it will not be consciously preceptable, but really, once it becomes "noticeable" (eg "Joan Rivers" or "the Joker face") that is actually MUCH WORSE than not having anything done at all.
There's nothing wrong with your nose, Penelope.
Posted by angdis-bb on 06/16/2009 at 10:18am | permalink | Reply to this comment
The Economist had a great article on the discrimination on short people some years ago and how it was the last form of discrimination. They were also very tongue in cheek about solutions for this form of discrimination. Great fun fact for presidential elections. See who is tallest and it's likely you will see the winner of the presidential election as there is a very strong correlation to height and winning the election.
On a side note Penelope, sounds like you would be under the average height for our family :D
Posted by The Saint on 06/16/2009 at 10:26am | permalink | Reply to this comment
Finally, a practical and powerful reason for women to wear (tasteful, professional) high heels at work.
Posted by WW on 06/16/2009 at 10:26am | permalink | Reply to this comment
This is a pretty ridiculous post. The alleged benefits of all of these tactics are rendered moot by the fact that they are merely tactics. If this is not "who you really are" then these tactics incur a loss of dignity and integrity. That's what happens when a person fakes it.
It makes me think of a teenager who thinks he's discovered the best pickup lines that will get him laid. It's not about the pickup lines at all. It's who you are. Similarly leadership is who you are and something you develop. It's not how well you gaze down at others, how nice your nose is, or how you keep your personal space.
That being said, I enjoy your blog. You make some good points here too. I just think you're just overstating your case this time.
Posted by Chris on 06/16/2009 at 10:34am | permalink | Reply to this comment
How often in a business situation does anyone get to know the "real" you? I'd bet heavily on 'rarely' and throw extra bets toward 'never'.
Socially, sure…if you're a clown who makes a point of creating a false persona, people will eventually sniff you out as a fake or worse. Your social life is not your work life.
I'm fairly certain that I work with a number of assholes who rely completely on bravado in their professional lives. I'll never be completely sure that this is the case because I don't make a point of spending time with them outside of my 8-6 job. I see them around the office, period.
Peneople's post was about this very phenomenon. As much as I'd like to think that my bosses are contemplating the deeper meaning of a comment I made at a meeting three days ago, they probably forgot I exist. This is why you probably don't want to pick your nose at your desk because if someone sees you, you'll forever be "that kid who picks his nose at his desk". You might be a lovely person who happened to have an itch, but no one is going to take the time to check.
In case the news the past few months hasn't filled you in on this fact, "integrity" isn't exactly the name of the game in the professional world. And it doesn't make me thrilled to say that. But it's the working world that the vast majority of people live in. I think Penelope's post was spot-on.
Posted by Miss B on 06/16/2009 at 12:21pm | permalink | Reply to this comment
Chris,
Good pick-up lines will likely get a guy laid, but 'who he is' will get him a long term relationship.
Similarly, looking good and/or being tall will make you memorable, which means you're at the forefront of people's minds when they want to promote someone, spend their money, or assign projects. If you do a good job ('who you are'), then you'll continue to get the nod from the boss.
I think the point here is that you're less likely to get the opportunities in the first place if you're not playing the game. Smart but frumpy doesn't get you anywhere anymore.
Posted by Sari on 06/16/2009 at 01:57pm | permalink | Reply to this comment
Most of the girls who were popular in my high school got that way because they were slutty, not necessarily cute. But that probably works in the business world, too.
Posted by GenerationXpert on 06/16/2009 at 10:36am | permalink | Reply to this comment
HAHAHA!!!
Posted by Alicia Fairclough on 06/17/2009 at 09:44am | permalink | Reply to this comment
I heard the exact same thing on NPR a couple of days ago. Come on-be more creative. Except for the nose comment, this had no personal flavor. I'm dissapointed.
Posted by anonymous on 06/16/2009 at 10:45am | permalink | Reply to this comment
I read a lot of research like this when I was a psych major, and for the most part it's fairly right-on. I'm considered a tall person (5'11") and people almost always assume I know what I'm talking about, even when I'm not even making any sense.
It's an unfair advantage, really, but not one I'm going to complain about.
Posted by Parsing Nonsense on 06/16/2009 at 10:46am | permalink | Reply to this comment
Cohen's research – "Act like the boss. Tall children, from a very young age, are deemed the "leader" of their friends. Other little kids literally look up to them and often treat them as they would a slightly older child, and as a result, they're more likely to function as the leader for the rest of their life. Even as interns, other office workers give them the physical space and attention usually reserved for a leader. So act like a leader."
I would argue there is a difference between acting like a boss and acting like a leader. This fact became apparent to me after taking and being evaluated after a responsible engineering authority (REA) training class. It was pointed out to me I had leadership qualities but they were more skewed towards the boss side of the spectrum. I didn't like to hear that news but I knew it was true so I changed my approach to working with co-workers in some areas. As it turns out, leaders don't need titles to lead … bosses do.
Posted by Mark W. on 06/16/2009 at 10:55am | permalink | Reply to this comment
I'm just a hair over 5'4". People always think I'm 2-3 inches taller. And I wear flats.
Posted by KateNonymous on 06/16/2009 at 11:04am | permalink | Reply to this comment
So, then shouldn't we tax tall people and redistribute that wealth to short people?
Greg Mankiw thinks so…
http://www.nber.org/papers/w14976.pdf
Posted by Vi | Maximizing Utility on 06/16/2009 at 11:07am | permalink | Reply to this comment
No, we should tax stupid people who think plastic surgery is the answer to everyone's problems. What would your nose look like after a $10,000 investment? $10,000 poorer, and you wouldn't get a thing out of it in life. Unless you are horrendously malformed, learn to live with what you have and respect it so others can respect you for what you are.
I also don't think Chelsea Clinton got anything done – I think she lost weight. She looks pretty much the same as she ever did, just a little toned up and more mature. The right make up and hair can do amazing wonders – doesn't anyone else watch What Not To Wear? I had a friend that roughly resembled her as a teen and guess what? She roughly resembles her now – without a bit of surgery.
Summer doldrums for PenelopeTrunk.com? Seems like a lot of insubstantial stuff like this being written lately solely to get reactive comments (and therefore more hits.) I shouldn't react, yet I do . . .
Posted by Tom on 06/16/2009 at 11:22am | permalink | Reply to this comment
There are people who, as I refer to it, "grow into their faces." I think Chelsea Clinton is one of these people.
Posted by KateNonymous on 2009-06-16 12:00:44 | (Comments wont nest below this level)
Vi,
I haven't read this paper, but given what I've read of Mankiw, this must be an attack on the Utilitarian framework – not a serious proposal for a "tall tax". This is intended as a send-up of the idea of taxing innate abilities.
On a policy level I really dislike this fellow, but he can sure write a coherent textbook, I'll give him that.
-DG
Posted by DG on 06/16/2009 at 11:30am | permalink | Reply to this comment
very good ;-)
Posted by EWDH on 06/21/2009 at 11:51pm | permalink | Reply to this comment
Chelsea Clinton had plastic surgery?
I looked at some photos … she has had some work done but hard to tell if it was actual plastic surgery or not. Teeth fixed up yes, hair much better now, but I don't really consider those plastic surgery. Maybe a nose job … that is the most likely candidate. She also outgrew (or just lost) her teenage fat. Lips? Some websites think she had lip injections but I'm not sure, her smile looks pretty similar to me. She does look better now … but she had some pretty awkward teen years, even as awkward teen years go, so just learning how to fix herself up goes a long way. Which goes for all of us.
Posted by Carla Hinkle on 06/16/2009 at 11:22am | permalink | Reply to this comment
Don't touch your nose. It's one of your best features. Remember Jennifer Grey? Don't do it.
Another Jewish girl getting a nose job and losing the fabulous nose? NO!
I have a button nose. I've always liked bigger, Romanesque, structured noses. Grass is greener?
Posted by Joselle Palacios on 06/16/2009 at 11:49am | permalink | Reply to this comment
This reminds me when someone who I had just met in person said, “You sound taller over the phone”. I'm 5'2" and I wear high heels in any business setting or meeting.
Posted by Leslie on 06/16/2009 at 11:52am | permalink | Reply to this comment
I thought I was the only person who had ever heard that comment! I was told by someone that I sounded taller on the phone, and I thought it was kind of weird. I'm 5' 3" and cannot wear high heels, on the orders of my orthopedic surgeon. But an "up" hairstyle, if it's one that suits a person and doesn't look bizarre, can create the impression of more height.
Posted by Diane on 07/03/2009 at 11:48pm | permalink | Reply to this comment
Sweet, the contents of this post is my speciality! Social artistry at it's finest.
Being tall should give you a physical advantage in social/business settings, but I've found that most tall men and women don't use it effectively. The reason is they have poor body language (slouching, leaning forward, sticking head forward, etc etc). I've worked in multiple corporate environments and seen this. Also, I'm a professional coach, and I've coached well over 1000 athletes and seen the same thing. The tallest ones are the gangliest and the most awkward. Interestingly, it's the medium build athletes with high intelligence and excellent physiques that are the leaders and the social dominators.
This is a great post and I want to respond in a longer blog…
Posted by Lance on 06/16/2009 at 11:54am | permalink | Reply to this comment
"Focus on image rather than competence"
Couldn't agree more with the last point. Perception is reality, especially in a corporate setting.
Posted by anne on 06/16/2009 at 11:57am | permalink | Reply to this comment
My God.. I've found the answer to all the world's ills… "Focus on image rather than competence…" Sheesh.. that's just pathetic..
Posted by funkright on 06/16/2009 at 12:08pm | permalink | Reply to this comment
Do you ever actually read the articles you post to beyond the first sentence – the study specifically takes out IQ – which makes the whole debunking revenge of the nerd analogy just plain wrong. Read the actual data! The IQ advantage trumped the popularity 4 to 1 – so forget plastic surgery – us nerds have got you beat.
Posted by Sara on 06/16/2009 at 12:09pm | permalink | Reply to this comment
Rather discouraging post for a 5'8" male, you did offer solutions but I just don't like them :/
Posted by alfredo mesen on 06/16/2009 at 12:18pm | permalink | Reply to this comment
Alfredo, you can always try wearing heels. Some cute red pumps will get you noticed. :)
Posted by the other Amy on 06/16/2009 at 04:46pm | permalink | Reply to this comment
Don't think that's the kind of appearance Penelope had in mind
Posted by alfredo mesen on 2009-06-16 16:54:26 | (Comments wont nest below this level)
"the behaviors tall people display can be mimicked by anyone in order to get the career benefits of being tall."
Could this possibly be true of good-looking people too?
Could it possibly be the case that how you act can completely override the significance of, for instance, the shape of your nose? Not for middle-of-the road dullards, perhaps, but for really dynamic, interesting & intelligent people?
Posted by Alice Bachini-Smith on 06/16/2009 at 12:47pm | permalink | Reply to this comment
I'm not sure if you were serious about the nose job thing (you shouldn't be) but I'll take it seriously so I can make a point. Unless you can get that nose job without anyone noticing, I would pass. Getting plastic surgery shows a lack of confidence with yourself – your corporate colleagues will take note (they're smart and observant, or they wouldn't be where they are) and lose respect for you.
As for the other points, they're mostly true. When using any of these social tactics, though, you need to be careful not to be seen as aggressive or condescending by your coworkers. They'll resent you for trying to 'act like the boss' or 'finding a way to look down on' them.
Posted by Jonathan on 06/16/2009 at 01:03pm | permalink | Reply to this comment
I believe people each have their own era within their lives in which they peak, both phsically and mentally. Many of the hot, popular cheerleaders and jocks from my high school class are now overweight and not doing a whole lot career-wise. It's like they peaked in high school. Or maybe they grew accustomed to the silver platter that comes with popularity and never learned how to work hard on their own.
The tall thing – I agree with that. However, I think you can be tall without physically being tall. It's how you think of yourself, how you carry yourself and how you act. I'm a huge believer in Maya Angelou's
Posted by 5'3" but doing okay on 06/16/2009 at 01:08pm | permalink | Reply to this comment
Oops, my link didn't come through.
Maya Angelou's Phenomenal Woman: http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/phenomenal-woman/
Posted by 5'3" but doing okay on 06/16/2009 at 01:09pm | permalink | Reply to this comment
I laughed out loud at the title of this post. Cute.
I guess the only way to really 'be tall at work' if you are not is to act tall, like you suggested. Have more confidence.. fake it if you have to.
Interesting post… :)
Posted by Professional Resume Writer on 06/16/2009 at 01:15pm | permalink | Reply to this comment
Women have known about this for years – hence the high heels. When I go to meetings, I put on my power heels, I look men in the eye. The more important the meeting, the higher the heel.
And when it comes to being good looking, again, women have been doing this forever with makeup, which can turn an average-looking woman into an better-than-average-looking woman.
It's unfortunate that men don't have tools like this to aid them. I guess that's why short men develop the Napoleon complex to compensate.
Posted by Jun on 06/16/2009 at 01:26pm | permalink | Reply to this comment
I like the "guard personnal space" thought but as a tall person, I found this really hard to apply.
It's kind of simple with male colleagues or partners but not with women.
How to find the balance between "to guard his personnal space" and "courtesy" ?
But Lance made a really good point here too. Tall people are often clumsy. No one learnt them how to stand, how to act, how to be.
A lot of teens don't know what to do with their long arms/legs.
If no one learn them how to stand, they'll become clumsy adults.
Posted by Eric on 06/16/2009 at 01:51pm | permalink | Reply to this comment
The last bullet it depressing. Is that a joke? Your blog is perfectly named. I would like to think I have gotten where I am through competence and hard work, not my 6"6" stature. Instead of busting my hump I should just practice good posture??
Posted by Eric on 06/16/2009 at 02:32pm | permalink | Reply to this comment
Great post. Us Gen-Y members are noticeably shorter than the Gen-Xers. It's quite deflating to have to physically look up to people who are already older than us — makes you feel even more like the inexperienced kid, despite being 25.
So I'm happy to know there are strategies for "being tall" that don't involve actual height. However, I think I first need to convince myself that I'm "tall" and confident, so maybe I'll look into buying some high heels. At 5'3" I need all the help I can get.
Posted by Anca on 06/16/2009 at 02:38pm | permalink | Reply to this comment
This is far and away one of the best posts in recent weeks! *smile* Not ready to buy plastic surgery as a business tool, but think like a tall person? Gotta love that! Be unforgettable, act like the boss, don't be shy – great. But that last point bothers me a little – focus on image over competance? Perhaps it should read, "focus on image AS WELL AS competance." Image may get you in the door, but in the end competance gets you the corner office.
Posted by prklypr on 06/16/2009 at 03:24pm | permalink | Reply to this comment
At 5'11" I have to say… cowboy boots. Conservative, black boots. It gives you about a 1.5" heel. Plus, you make an awful lot of noise when you walk in them.
- Walk fast, take a long stride.
- Shoulders back and straight. If you don't get accused of being in the military, you're doing it wrong. (this is not gender-specific advice. I am a weak kneed fool for a woman with this kind of air of confidence, a hilarious irony.)
- Always look straight ahead and up. It adds an amazing amount to your height.
- Say hi to people in the cube farm a row or two down as you walk in, being friendly and loud about it. Don't overdo it (having conversations, etc.)
- Overdress. You can be VERY slight about it as long as you're consistent. People will notice. I love cufflinks. I can still wear a comfortable shirt in a tieless "business casual" environment and it adds a level of punch that people notice.
RE: Image/Competence. It's one of the simple and sometimes frustrating realities that people notice what they NOTICE. Don't forgo one for the other. (Crappy work will get you canned and it will eat at you while you do it anyway.) But you have to keep your goals in mind.
If your job is just a stepping stone, walk all over it.
Posted by Mike Wilson on 06/16/2009 at 03:47pm | permalink | Reply to this comment
These are good additions…the long strides make you appear very busy and the good posture helps you exude confidence. I'm a 5'3" woman but I feel (and sometimes act) like I'm 5'9"–I'm a fast walker and a fast talker and those things help me be taken more seriously.
Posted by JB on 06/17/2009 at 07:54am | permalink | Reply to this comment
As a minority woman who is 5'2, I definitely relate to this post. I have had many a tall male managers towering over me and trying to intimidate with their height. Ironic thing is that tall people are the ones that always tell me about how short I am and seem to have an issue with it. I just say that I don't really notice it anymore (which is very true!) because they are just a different type of tall to me as most people are taller than me! The males above 6'feet always take a little offense when I say that I honestly don't see the difference between them and a guy who is 5'9, just varying levels of tall.
Personality is definitely something that helps me. It helps to have a strong, confident prescense when walking into a room or being in a meeting. To those people who insist on obsessing over my height (or how tiny I am), I let them know that I am actually quite tall for my family as my dad is my height and mom is 4'8! This usually keeps them quiet too.
Here is one little request to the tall people out there reading this. Please try not to go into great lengths about how short someone is or how little they are. It is a rather unoriginal topic of conversation for the person who is below average height :)
Posted by Isis Nair on 06/16/2009 at 04:03pm | permalink | Reply to this comment
Isis: You're absolutely right on. There's a big difference between people who are tall and people who see others as short :).
Posted by Mike Wilson on 06/16/2009 at 04:21pm | permalink | Reply to this comment
Ah, Fernado, it's not how you feel, it's how you look.
For a blog that professes to offer new approaches to work, it seems that we are always revisiting the ancient issue of popularity. The topic of how to win friends and influence people is as old as the hills; even Adam and Eve probably thought the fig leaves made them look taller.
The research may be sound, but the tricks only go so far. Let's give good ol' fashioned confidence and integrity a try – more ancient ideas, but these might make you feel better as well as look better.
Posted by Grace on 06/16/2009 at 04:21pm | permalink | Reply to this comment
great post and coming from my perspective 6'4" I can tell you that there is also resentment built in and avoidance. especially by peers. I think what ends up happening is that to survive the workplace tall people (assuming they have some modicum of talent) HAVE to take the lead somewhere or they will be out quickly. Either that or go out on your own.
Posted by Steve Averill on 06/16/2009 at 05:18pm | permalink | Reply to this comment
Heels – unless they are a platform or wedge, I'm not wearing those things. Am I the only person who finds the classic heel extremely painful after about 5 minutes of wearing them? Plus I'm too klutzy. Seriously, I feel and sprained my ankle getting up from a desk in my own home. So teeny, wobbly heels are just not feasible.
Due to that, and the fact that I'm only 5'6", I guess I'm destined for a lifetime of mediocrity.
Someone remind me again why I continue to read this blog?
Posted by MeredithElaine on 06/16/2009 at 05:47pm | permalink | Reply to this comment
fell, not feel. Damn.
Posted by MeredithElaine on 06/16/2009 at 05:47pm | permalink | Reply to this comment
Ugh. It would seem that the study that you reference is flawed from the beginning (but the formulas and statistical analysis make it look good). The problem is that "popularity" is not what you want to measure. Am I popular on Linkedin if I have 5000 contacts or do I have a lot of names that I couldn't tell from Adam? Also, for what they are trying to do the sample size is way to small and the definition of "success" way to generic.
I have found that many of the most 'popular' kids in high-school were popular due to looks and/or sports. Unfortunately, most peaked during high-school. On the other side of the coin, the students who were "book worms" got into better collages (and were generally more intelligent).
So while I like grad-school statistical analysis, the referenced "analysis" is suspect.
I like the tall comment though – although being too tall to young has its own issues (I was 6'2" when I was 10).
Cool stuff,
Will at virtualjobcoach.com
Posted by Will at Virtualjobcoach on 06/16/2009 at 07:01pm | permalink | Reply to this comment
Good point Will. I would think a woman who was 6'3" (mentioned in the blog post) might have some negative ramifications based on her height.
Posted by J on 06/16/2009 at 07:09pm | permalink | Reply to this comment
The take away for me here – no matter what your situation, it is up to you to make the most of it! So, if you are unusually short or of average height, you can still "act tall." If you have average looks, you can dress well and get professional advice regarding make up, etc.
As a job search coach, I teach my clients to address and impact the things they DO control. So, the economy's in the toilet, maybe you haven't looked for a job in 15 years and you're over 40, but that doesn't mean you can't succeed. Job seekers who put good information and materials to work for them DO land opportunities.
Thinking differently – dare I say "outside of the box" – and being willing to use resources or ideas that others do not attempt is an important and useful approach!
Posted by Miriam Salpeter, Keppie Careers on 06/16/2009 at 07:05pm | permalink | Reply to this comment
I have to say, this is one of my favrite comments in this string. This comment gets to the core of everything.
It's really easy to poke holes in everyone's theories. It's really hard to discern what you have control over and what you don't and focus on what you can control.
Each of us has a different set of gifts and a different set of obstacles and a different set of things we can control. But all of us have a responsiblity to ourselves to face what we can control and do something with it.
Penelope
Posted by Penelope Trunk on 06/16/2009 at 08:31pm | permalink | Reply to this comment
P-Trunk, would you date a guy your height or shorter?
Posted by Lance on 06/16/2009 at 09:14pm | permalink | Reply to this comment
About half the men I date are shorter than I am. I wonder what this says about me?
–P
Posted by Penelope Trunk on 06/16/2009 at 09:46pm | permalink | Reply to this comment
That you are taller than the average woman. And the height of an average man?
Posted by Irina I on 2009-07-16 20:24:35 | (Comments wont nest below this level)
If you're tall, the logical response to this post is a celebratory fist pump.
If you're short, you should take advantage of this irrational bias and start an Internet company that you staff with nothing but short people. Because they are undervalued, you should have a cost advantage over any competing companies with normal height employees. (It has to be an Internet company so that your customers aren't turned off by your team's lack of height)
Unless, of course, bringing together so many folks with "little man" complexes results in a disastrous implosion of short-on-short violence….
Posted by Chris Yeh on 06/16/2009 at 10:07pm | permalink | Reply to this comment
I am only 5 feet tall—however, I come across as much taller because I have presence. And, oddly enough, I am told I am quite intimidating. So go figure.
Posted by Mary K on 06/17/2009 at 06:06am | permalink | Reply to this comment
Go, Mary! The key word in your post is "presence." I applaud you for bringing in that very good point. God bless you, you tall person of a certain height!
Posted by Odie on 06/17/2009 at 09:50am | permalink | Reply to this comment
Funny, all the popular kids at my high school are losers now. It's the geeks and nerds who are making all the dough.
Consider that with the internet, we don't see how good-looking or tall people are.
Posted by Nancy on 06/17/2009 at 08:23am | permalink | Reply to this comment
As a 5'7", 27-year-old man, I have tried, in part, to do this for the past few years. I don't slouch, my stride is quick and meaningful, I don't walk around with my hands in my pockets anymore, and I try to have confidence in my voice in a business setting. That's because people do tend not to give me much respect because I am both short and young-looking. All the time people say "you know you look like you're about 15 years old" when they first meet me, without even thinking how rude or insulting it is. (Lately I've been a little hateful about it, I responded to an older woman that she looked like she was about 65!) Added to this the fact that I'm not fat, like most people get at my age in the South, lends an air of "hey, I shouldn't pay attention to this guy when he walks in the room" to me.
Posted by Richard on 06/17/2009 at 09:33am | permalink | Reply to this comment
Those are great points. People can be quick to comment without thinking about how it sounds on the receivers end.
That confident attitude helps though, it says "I'm here to do business" and people see that.
Toastmasters has helped me out a lot.
Posted by William Frost on 07/03/2009 at 08:55pm | permalink | Reply to this comment
I think it's stupid to suggest that if you are taller, you will get ahead somehow. It's not about your height or your weight or your looks. It's about how you use your intelligence, that's what really counts. The looks come second. Anyone who thinks this way is deceiving herself. I do not deny that looks and even height might help in the business world but, let's not kid ourselves: Get some emotional intellligence as well along the way.
And, oh yeah, I've met some stupid tall and even fat and skinny people!
Posted by Odie on 06/17/2009 at 09:47am | permalink | Reply to this comment
Perception is everything. Just as height is (initially) more important than talent, posture is more important than height. I'm barely 5'10", but people almost always think I'm much taller. I've even had people that are several inches taller argue with me when I've pointed out that I'm shorter than they are. This is because I consciously worked on my posture, which is now very good. Not only is good posture healthier, but it also adds to that elusive quality of "presence" some people have.
Posture is especially important for women, as women tend to have more back problems as they age. Additionally, taller women (who are more likely to slump, to hide their height) are also usually slender. Slumping not only looks bad in itself, it also de-emphasizes the bust-line, which is frequently the opposite of what's desired when a woman has a slender build.
As far as "be memorable" goes, I'd add "do everything with purpose". Don't just walk into a room, ENTER the room. Don't just answer the phone, GREET your caller.
Posted by Philip on 06/17/2009 at 10:01am | permalink | Reply to this comment
This is all great commentary. And these tactics work really well until, as a guy, you get a boss that is quite a bit shorter and more insecure. Rather than "acting small" to appease him, I left.
Posted by Jon W on 06/17/2009 at 10:32am | permalink | Reply to this comment
In his book, "Living the Martial Way," Forrest E. Morgan speaks of this subject. He doesn't address how an incompetent person can get ahead by manipulating the lizard brain programming of his peers. That doesn't seem to be his goal.
What he does address is bearing. Standing up straight matters. Posture or height aren't what make others notice you. It's the change in your *bearing*, how you address the world, how you move through it.
I'm 5' 10". I've worked in situations (not corporate) where bearing matters more than moving up to the boardroom. Lack of bearing could lead to a confrontation that can get you killed.
I've backed down much larger men, much taller men, with my bearing alone. That bearing came from body positioning, which led to an erect and alert posture, making me appear much taller than I actually was.
Height is but one component but a tall person can slouch, be meek and ineffective as the next. As a matter of fact, if they aren't confident in their height, if they have been belittled for it and believed that, they are more likely to not express their full posture, and hence their personal power.
Loved the article. Very funny.
Posted by Donn Christianson on 06/17/2009 at 11:11am | permalink | Reply to this comment
This just might be a put-on. Or it might be a commentary on vapidity and a whore culture. How to succeed in business without really trying: gents, walk into a meeting wearing a codpiece or with paper towels stuff down the front of your pants. Ladies: show up wearing Fuck Me Pumps. Is there nothing in the author's world view that is not focused on money? Does she retain any personal integrity? You know what personal integrity is, folks: being who and what you are and recognizing that you are not your paycheck.
Posted by Ken Wolman on 06/17/2009 at 11:18am | permalink | Reply to this comment
Penelope -
In my mind's eye I always pictured you as on the shorter side. Do you think this is because I myself am 5'2"? All this time I've been thinking, 'she must have been the shortest one on her volleyball team.'
Posted by Kelli on 06/17/2009 at 11:32am | permalink | Reply to this comment
True, taller people may give interviewers a "bigger and stronger" impression but we short people can still do many things to try and brand ourselves and stand out from the candidate pool.
Not only should you brand yourself by exuding confidence and sell yourself during your interview, but you should also brand yourself online. With so much competition during this hard economy, we need to do as much as we can to stand out.
OneCubicle.com is a social networking portal that allows people to brand yourself online as well as network with professionals. It is mainly targeted towards students on their first, second or third job. I found this a great way to meet recruiters and have an edge over my competition.
Posted by Christina on 06/17/2009 at 12:30pm | permalink | Reply to this comment
I'm only 5ft2 and look young for my age. I visited my Mom last week at the High School she teaches at. I was asked for a late note from my parents on the way in and a hall pass while I was en route to her classroom.
I have found that for me, the higher the heel the better. It's weird. When I am at almost eye level with my boss it's a completely different conversation.
Posted by Meg on 06/17/2009 at 02:19pm | permalink | Reply to this comment
Lance, did you really say, "Being tall SHOULD give you a physical advantage in social/business settings"? Should?
Ridiculous. As ridiculous as treating men who wield basketballs as Gods, but poets as lepers.
Oh, and Lance? I hope you're tall because Lance is a very tall name to live up to.
Seriously, must ALL our cultural preferences be based on the proposition that "size matters"? Think about it "you guys." I say if that's true, then drop 'em so we can evaluate your worth on sight.
Posted by Diana on 06/17/2009 at 02:55pm | permalink | Reply to this comment
@Diana, what I should have said was that being tall should give you an advantage in business and social settings, not necessarily a physical advantage. Physical advantage implies physical tasks like sports or a fight or something.
Being tall can help, but I've rarely seen strong, compelling leaders in tall bodies. Every tall person I've ever met in a business setting I've overshadowed with a combination of great BL, knowledge, and articulation. I actually think we agree with each other here, but wasn't sure from how you wrote your comment.
BTW, I'm medium height and big where it counts.
Posted by Lance on 06/18/2009 at 01:37pm | permalink | Reply to this comment
Hi Lance, I was pissed off at the entire subject matter, sorry to single you out. I don't think we're totally at odds, but you're still saying "being tall should give you an advantage in business and social settings". Why should it? It's just a given? What does height have to do with intelligence in business or attractiveness in social settings? I just am appalled. Why do we do this – assign meaning to purely physical traits? Social Darwinism, pfft.
It's like Sasha Baron Cohen's really bad joke:
"God, man, horse, dog, woman, then rat, then small krutzouli" (and all the "variations" therein). I'm glad he's bringing all these prejudices about irony and identity to light.
Women are already pissed off that we are running second in the race. Add to that obsession with prettiness, breast size, and height and you're left with needing to resemble Barbie even in business.
Stillettos at work? Give me a break, please? I thought we made a difference in the 60s, but the pendulum swings. I want my frizzy, long hair and Birkenstocks back.
Posted by Diana on 2009-06-18 16:17:50 | (Comments wont nest below this level)
Oh, I should have said TALL men who wield basketballs. Sorry.
Posted by Diana on 06/17/2009 at 02:59pm | permalink | Reply to this comment
I am a tall women at almost 5'10" and let me tell you almost everday I wish I was two inches shorter! I'm an odd ball and stick out among a crowd. I also wear flats and wish I could wear high heels, but feel odd being so much taller than so many of the men. My father was 6'4" and when he walked in he commanded a room. Pleople always looked turned to him and listened – not so much for me. I think tall men might get more respect than tall women. I've held my own and think I have received merit on my abilities and not because of my height.
Posted by Sharon Smith on 06/17/2009 at 04:10pm | permalink | Reply to this comment
I heard/read this before and being 47 with over 27 years in the work force, I see it constantly. As a 5'9" man, its affected my behavior and consequently life negatively. And not just in the work place. But outside the work place. In fact in my personal life its worse. Because this fact is NOT just in the work place.
I've managed to overcome or manage to have the advantages of taller, more good-looking men very well. I would not do it again. It has a negative affect on your whole life, or maybe it was just me. Its a fact of life to be sure. I've taught my sons how to deal with it and (IMNTBHO) how not to deal with it. My shortest son has done the best. Taller, good-looking, and even older and/or people in authority defer to him within seconds of meeting him and he has a "following", not so much friends per se (he's only 18 now). And I don't think he will have the lasting issues I have had (because having done it well, but wrong, I was able to refine how to handle it, but it was way too late for me. This is one of only two genuine parental successes I can think of). In fact its amusing to me to watch this effect in action: when people meet me somewhere where my son works or works out, or hangs out ie where he is known, I'm initially treated like I'm invisible. Until they find out I'm K's dad. Then you see the literal "step-back" you spoke of about personal space.
But in the end its sad. Sad that people have to be manipulated to even come close to fair in human created institutions..I really don't think the approach in your blog will serve anyone well. Just wearing high heels, peacocking, etc are acts for you to keep up. and up. and up. If you have a brain, you will soon feel stupid, even when it works….
(what works? or what I taught my sons? That would take a long article to explain, but as brief as I can its simply, being aware for the perfect time for tall guy or (in my opinion more than height, its a woman with big ***s, and thats not even my "thing" so-to-speak) to make assumptions, and make them pay for it. HARD. Make anyone else who is making stupid and false assumptions pay for it HARD too. It will override this natural height, good looking thing. Takes longer, but it carries on just as well).
- jonathan strange
Posted by Timothy Waters on 06/17/2009 at 04:45pm | permalink | Reply to this comment
Ow! Is there really no chance for us under 5'4"? :)
No seriously, I agree with the tall part. I am 5'3" and pretty much always wear heels, and as a result of always standing tall, have a really nice posture…:) Not being tall and thus physically more imposing, it's harder to speak from a position of authority. "Who was it talking right now? (Look down…) Ah, there she is…"
I always try to stand in the cubicle situation when someone is speaking and not sit, because it makes for very awkward conversation. And I look down whenever I can, because it's rare that I can literally look down at people.
So I totally agree with compensating by being noticeable–funny, good-looking, well-dressed, great perfume, etc. Since there is no plastic surgery for height, it's futile to get too upset about it…I wear heels, put hair up, wear pants long, use v-necks and straight lines in clothing–having done so without consciously trying to seem taller.
Posted by Julia on 06/18/2009 at 06:55am | permalink | Reply to this comment
There's something else no one is really touching on, but I think it's worth taking the lid off of. What happens if you're tall and "ugly" or even just out-of-shape? Guess what, in that situation being tall is a huge disadvantage. Why? Because now you're intimidating, and in the worst cases, monstrous.
IMO, it's far far better to be of medium or regular height and in really good shape. Good fitness projects physical health, vitality, virility, healthy eating, self-discipline, and obvious respect for one's own body. And guess what? ANYONE can get physically fit!! We can't grow any more, but you can always get our asses in the gym and improve our presentation!
Posted by Lance on 06/18/2009 at 01:43pm | permalink | Reply to this comment
Thinking tall means, to me, having confidence — or at least getting everyone else to believe you do.
Tall, short, ugly or not, believing in yourself and being at peace with yourself (and taking care of yourself) goes a long way, along with a genuine smile and some wit, whether at work or in the dating world.
Sadly, a lot of women focus on (obsess about?) their negatives, and then just become insecure. There's nothing attractive or sexy about that ..
Posted by Kat Wilder on 06/18/2009 at 04:11pm | permalink | Reply to this comment
lots of exceptions to this money is skin deep myth…lots of uglies makin money
Letterman, bill gates, Oprah, Rosie Odonnell
But if u feel u must cut to cash in use the whiteout approach
Target where mistakes can be hidden or fixed on the downlow
This means butt or breasts
Stay away from the face
Face work is less natural looking and much harder to get right the first time
Butt and breasts will get u the attention u want w/o the same risk as face surgery
Posted by chick swami on 06/18/2009 at 04:29pm | permalink | Reply to this comment
It would be very insightful to see that if you make $789 more per inch of height, then how much more do you make per 5 points of IQ, or how much more you make per additional hour of work you put in. The best one might be how much more you make per $ contribution you make to your firm.
I'm pretty sure that intelligence, hard work and your $ contribution to your company are far more important than height. In terms of percentage, $789 per inch isn't that much for an executive making $80,000 per year.
Posted by Jack on 06/19/2009 at 06:46am | permalink | Reply to this comment
Living in the land of plastic surgery– Miami– I don't think that's the answer. If it's not done right, you can lose a lot of personality (uniqueness) that helps you 'be' tall.
You don't have to be tall, or wear heels, to 'be' tall. Everyone always puts my height at 5'9" or 5'10"; I'm actually 5'6" and I don't wear heels (@MeredithElaine, I'm in your camp– way too painful!). My mother is even shorter– 5'2" (although she'll tell you 5'3"), and people think she's taller too. People think we're tall because we both have 'presence'; if you can feel a person's energy when they walk into the room, they'll feel taller to you.
Posted by BahiaBabe on 06/19/2009 at 04:37pm | permalink | Reply to this comment
@mike wilson:
"Shoulders back and straight. If you don't get accused of being in the military, you're doing it wrong. (this is not gender-specific advice. I am a weak kneed fool for a woman with this kind of air of confidence, a hilarious irony.)"
so a confident woman is ironic? you're a douche. get over yourself. nobody likes a loud, insecure dickhead in cowboy boots.
Posted by yvette on 06/20/2009 at 12:09am | permalink | Reply to this comment
Good God no. The irony isn't "confident woman" by any means. What's ironic is the way a confident woman turns me to total mush.
Perhaps ironic isn't quite the right word.
Posted by Mike Wilson on 06/20/2009 at 12:18am | permalink | Reply to this comment
The study linking IQ to height has been discredited and the wage to height studies for women compared -1 sigma to +1 sigma female populations. I would agree that tall guys do better in business, but my own experience is a really tall woman has problems and the studies don't support continually increasing height is equated to higher earnings.
Oh – I'm 6'3 which is something over 3.5 sigma for women in their 20s.
Posted by jheri on 06/20/2009 at 08:31pm | permalink | Reply to this comment
hello P – tall is an attitude not a measurement – at 5foot 2 1/2 inches I am way taller than many on the days I want to be.
I did find the space thing interesting … I am about to take up a ceo role with a troubled organisation and had already decided I would have to go in 'firm' as opposed to a softer stance – so now I will recall the four foot space rule and sit all the staff down for meetings – hee hee le
Posted by le on 06/21/2009 at 06:15am | permalink | Reply to this comment
I think I need to watch more old movies. A quote from Shunderson at the end of the movie 'People Will Talk' (1951) I recently watched relative to this post -
"Professor Elwell, you're a little man. It's not that you're short. You're…little, in the mind and in the heart. Tonight, you tried to make a man little whose boots you couldn't touch if you stood on tiptoe on top of the highest mountain in the world. And as it turned out…you're even littler than you were before."
Maybe it's just my perception, a generalization, or that I'm getting older (but not old) – a larger share of movies today have less character development and story line compared to older movies.
Posted by Mark W. on 06/21/2009 at 06:33am | permalink | Reply to this comment
I live in a place where living exemplary means free trips to the cosmetic surgeon. Who's comin with me?
Posted by ream on 06/21/2009 at 06:33pm | permalink | Reply to this comment
Your editor(s) do a good job, you manage your image even better, and in this case at least, you're incompetent. How sad to think that so many insecure people will follow the third-rate, straight-to-the-discount-bin so-called advice you disseminate in this moronic post. You encourage devious and unnatural behavior which even the dumbest corporate drone can see through in a flash, thus degrading further the already diseased atmosphere of the corporate workplace. You mindlessly or cynically contribute to the increase in mental illness among the population, you creepily hit from the back the already terminally ill social contract, and you probably don't care that your half-baked, inane proclamations accelerate the decline of your world.
Your fixation on "earning power" helps bring about the end of your world, and you don't even realize for a second that it increases the probability that your kid(s) will have to eat tapioca gruel everyday. You, your kind, your society, are doomed. Too bad it will take another 20 or 50 years before the power of asinine "business consultants", rapacious lawyers, and others of their egocentric ilk lays among the ruins of western civilization.
Posted by Christian R on 06/21/2009 at 07:49pm | permalink | Reply to this comment
Christain,
My first thought about this post was: ugh, why is she using stats like: people over 6.0 make $800 more per inch per year. a meaningless stat that may seem interesting to some people. You're right, people should not be focusing solely how much they make per year and I think Penelope would agree.
I thought this post was about confidence building and helping people believe they can be leaders. The things she suggests may, or may not help YOU lead, but who are you to say what is best for people.
I believe the world needs each of us to be a leaders, of our families, communities, hobbies, whatever we do (so the world you are imagining doesn't become reality). The traditional workplace, like it or not, is where most of Ps readers are. The workplace needs us to lead, so we can make the workplace sustainable, just, fulfilling. Using worklplace examples are a good way to reach many, even if she must slightly sacrifice the ultimate message. Helping people lead.
I feel guilty responding to a seemingly unthoughtful comment. Hopefully I shifted someones opinion. Christain, it seems like you've got some big ideas and concerns, but with the negativity of your post, no one will listen. I think most care about the future of our world, its too bad some are so apathetic.
Posted by ream on 06/21/2009 at 08:55pm | permalink | Reply to this comment
Maybe I'm confused, but did you post that you had an abortion because it would ruin your career prospects? And, everyone else around you encouraged you to do so?
Wow…I'm blown away that something as transient and temporary as careers are considered more important than a child's life.
No offense, but how many people that had 'career plans' are sitting at home unemployed and unemployable in this current economy?
What became of all those big plans for those people? They completely evaporated. So, making huge decisions based around a career that could come to a screeching halt at a moment's notice is clearly not the way to go.
Then again, it's those same types of selfish and self-centered ways of thinking that have the economy in its current state…me first, all about me, and the generation of me. So, clearly I'm preaching to the choir on this one.
Never did understand these sort of arguments around abortions. They all sound so reasonable on the surface, but are always selfish and couched in excuses that flimsily fall apart when you peer beneath the surface.
Just so…lame.
Posted by Confused in DC on 06/22/2009 at 06:54am | permalink | Reply to this comment
Where do you see abortion in this post? I never really got this rant about how abortion is selfish. Isn't everything we do in life selfish, done to satisfy our goals/desires?
In a case where a mother to be, has to choose between aborting and herself dying on the operating table to save the child, you would say that she should choose the latter – after all saving yourself would be selfish?
Your argument is analogous to the one made to the person who has 10 garments in his wardrobe – do you know there are people in this world, who have nothing to wear? How selfish of you to have 10 clothes?
How selfish of you to eat three meals a day, when there are people in this world, who struggle to have one meal a day? When there are people dying of hunger?
I could go on and on, but I hope you get the fallacy of your logic. If you think abortion is selfish, don't do it. Also, don't eat more than one meal a day, till you've eradicated world hunger. And I am sure you don't need all those clothes in the closet, do you?
Go and lead a good life – don't tell others how they should lead their lives.
Posted by Jack on 06/22/2009 at 02:47pm | permalink | Reply to this comment
I have to admit, when I first saw the title "How to be a tall person at work," I thought the article would be about how to deal with being physically tall at work without alienating/intimidating your coworkers/managers/etc. I've seen my share of people who have tried to lead but had no followers because they didn't relate well to others – they couldn't get the consent of others to be led.
Taking a step back, this whole fixation with height – or "height politics" – is messed up. I don't deny that it's there, but it seems like it shouldn't be as big of a deal as people make it out to be. In this post, with people sharing their heights and advantages/disadvantages, it's almost like we're all taking out our rulers and comparing.
In my opinion, the goal shouldn't be "to act like a tall person" because that gives too much power to height alone as a factor, as others have given examples of short people who are influential and tall people who are not. I think the goal should be to be a person who matters, who is confident, can be decisive, and who doesn't let hangups about things like height get in the way of a job well done or the respect of your peers/bosses. And I guess maybe to recognize the people who do use height as a factor in their judgment of you, and to not let them discriminate based on that factor.
Posted by Jeff on 06/26/2009 at 02:07am | permalink | Reply to this comment
Most people hate to be powerless, so if they're not provided with a status-structure in which to exercise some kind of authority, they'll create one. Teenagers bullying one other and having popularity contests is probably just a way of satisfying that need.
Posted by frasi on 06/28/2009 at 06:35am | permalink | Reply to this comment
Love this post.
I come from a tall family; my dad is 6"4, my mom is 5"11, I myself am 5"11, my 19 year old brother is 6"6 and my 15 year old brother is 6"0.
Being tall has always been an insecurity of mine… Towering over my petite friends, never having the confidence to wear amazing high heels… But it is something I try to become proud of everyday.
This article has definitely helped!
Posted by Zohra O'Doherty on 06/28/2009 at 07:56am | permalink | Reply to this comment
as a short, fat, frumpy, competent woman, this post depresses the living crap out of me.
Posted by Please on 06/29/2009 at 10:01am | permalink | Reply to this comment
I believe all the qualities mentioned in this post can make your social life a more palpable one, and indeed make your role in the office environment a more noticeable one.
Posted by softlaser on 06/29/2009 at 11:55pm | permalink | Reply to this comment
What about NAPOLEON? So much for that theory.
Posted by JK on 06/30/2009 at 04:47am | permalink | Reply to this comment
Being a 5'10" professional woman I loved this article. Maybe it eases the pain of finding pants that are long enough, just a bit.
Posted by Alicia on 06/30/2009 at 02:30pm | permalink | Reply to this comment
I think a lot of it is how you present yourself. I am attracted to confidence and self assurance that comes through in posture, eye contact, firm handshake, clear and concise speech…
Posted by William Frost on 07/03/2009 at 08:52pm | permalink | Reply to this comment
This reminds me of the 30 rock episode where Tina Fey is dating the extremely handsome doctor who he is given a pass for incompetence with everything he does because people want to be near his pretty face/body. But in reality he is a total idiot. He never had to develop his skills at anything because all of the doors were opened for him the second he smiled.
I know so many women who are like this. They have unusually large boobs, a pretty face, or a great butt or all of the above and they just glide through life with people throwing their coats down for them. But they never really develop any real skills at anything besides the fluffy stuff (makeup/shopping). And this is what this post reminds me of.
Yeah tall or unusually good looking people are the first out of the gate but once you get into the nitty gritty of things its the average to ugly people who really get things done because they have developed the caluses in life that are needed to deal with the pain of accomplishment.
So tall goodlooking people just stick to being drug reps. Marry doctors and get out of the way for us average height average looking people because we have a world to run.
Posted by Jo on 07/06/2009 at 04:33pm | permalink | Reply to this comment
Interesting. I am 5'11 and I tower over my Indian and Chinese colleagues. I have the natural advantage in the workplace of being white and educated in North America. Do these studies control for that, or do they simply reflect the fact that there is still bias against hiring and promoting Asian minorities?
Posted by Cathy on 07/21/2009 at 08:34am | permalink | Reply to this comment
I believe it is more about the confidence that good looking people have because of their looks, than it is about the looks themselves. Since high school is a developmental time and all about the outer shell, it stands to reason that the good looking folks spring with more vigor and receptiveness into college and early adulthood due to their positive experiences at the high school level.
Be it plain looking, short, dumpy, etc., work on the supreme confidence and the doors will open. now, I am not referring to the shallow, phony cockiness that some try to exude that one can see through with a pair of Walgreens reading glasses. I am talking true belief that will withstand scruitiny, insult, misfortune and time.
Posted by William Mitchell, CPRW on 07/23/2009 at 01:44pm | permalink | Reply to this comment
Wasn't Yoda like, 3 foot two ?
Posted by Pax North on 09/01/2009 at 10:31pm | permalink | Reply to this comment