How important is height for a female in a management career?
Asked by Anonymous
I am a petite, 5'3 100 pd. female. I've read articles that height is important if you are in high level management positions because people take you more seriously. I am considering entering a career in marketing, public relations, sales or business management. Am I going to have a hard time getting respect and authority if I am short and petite? Is height more important for men in management positions? As long as I'm intelligent and assertive, should my height matter? Can short, petite women still be successful in these types of careers?

Best Answer:
A definite No. It is perceived as such. Knowledge and experience in the field of your endeavor,personality,effective public speaking and people that you surround yourself with of like mind is key. Oh yes, do dress for success. Do not accept the perception of Height. If you do accept it,what will you use as an excuse when you take your first (if any) failure. My wife,when she was alive was 5'4. She was excellent at management. made a high 5 figure income and was attributed to what I stated above. She at first had that height perception,but with each success and my encouragement she gained confidence, with that came advancements, and thousands of friends and colleges etc.
My most wonderful Wife
Answered by BONES

Your stature and size can be a real asset. We have a Vice president who is petite and about 5 feet tall, maybe with heals. When she speaks everyone listens. It's what's between your ears that counts. Best of Luck, you'll do fine.
Answered by underhillron

It may be to your advantage to be a little short as long as you're charming, highly assertive, highly intelligent, and you can speak with eloquence. It adds somewhat to your character, and one thing that's important for a management career is being memorable. Being assertive almost to the point of aggression will be very important though.
Answered by Jacob Duchaine

No way! Height means nothing. This kind of nonsense is from the days when hierarchy was everything at the expense of talent. The key qualities for managers today are the ability to build relationships and networks, to communicate and inspire and to lead the drive for better ways of doing things. Go cultivate your own brand, where your strengths are at the fore. Wish you all the very best!
Answered by James5678