9 ms·

That is one of those "correlation is not causation" things. You need to dig deeper to find the actual causation. One of the best CEOs I've known was quite short

That is one of those "correlation is not causation" things. You need to dig deeper to find the actual causation. One of the best CEOs I've known was quite short. For example, it could be that growing up tall gives you more confidence (because you are better at sports all the time), and more confidence makes it easier to rise in corporate leadership. But we don't know for sure until we study it more.

edblarney 10y ago
If you watch a high school cafeteria for one hour you know exactly why taller people are promoted to leadership. The same reason they tend to be whiter, a little better looking, more athletic. Interesting paradox: for Men, girth is actually good. Carry a few extra pounds, and it's good. For women - inverse. Skinny women earn more. Think of this: every single social interaction you have - with the guy at the watercooler, to meetings, to presentations - everyone is 'sizing each other up' subconciously. They are determining where they belong in the pecking order. Usually only from observable traits.
- Nomentatus 10y ago
  I agree. Unconscious bias is real. I was far shorter than average until about 15, and well taller than average thereafter. So I found out first hand, quite suddenly, just how much different other people's reactions were to me. When human growth hormone first became available, medically-short teens given it grew considerably and almost uniformly suffered from depression. There previous ways of interacting with people just didn't work anymore. (also from Keyes book)
Nomentatus 10y ago
Well, the data set is huge, so it's not coincidence. And it's unlikely that promotions cause people to grow. I was once at the opening of a Picasso exhibition where most of the people present were CEOs, and at the same place, I also attended the opening of a exhibition of Yousuf Karsh photos, where he was appeared. I'm tall, but I was nearly the shortest person in that large room both times. The only two times that's ever happened to me. As for causation, it's been experimentally tested and confirmed, with small groups picking leaders. There's a great old book retailing many remarkable such studies called "The Height of Your Life" by Ralph Keyes. It also discussed research showing that a substantial chunk of sex discrimination was actually height discrimination (see Sheryl Sandberg's remarkably high heels - she knows the score.) You said I should dig deeper - I've given you my bibliography, could you now favor me with yours?

edblarney 10y ago

If you watch a high school cafeteria for one hour you know exactly why taller people are promoted to leadership. The same reason they tend to be whiter, a little better looking, more athletic. Interesting paradox: for Men, girth is actually good. Carry a few extra pounds, and it's good. For women - inverse. Skinny women earn more. Think of this: every single social interaction you have - with the guy at the watercooler, to meetings, to presentations - everyone is 'sizing each other up' subconciously. They are determining where they belong in the pecking order. Usually only from observable traits.

Nomentatus 10y ago
I agree. Unconscious bias is real. I was far shorter than average until about 15, and well taller than average thereafter. So I found out first hand, quite suddenly, just how much different other people's reactions were to me. When human growth hormone first became available, medically-short teens given it grew considerably and almost uniformly suffered from depression. There previous ways of interacting with people just didn't work anymore. (also from Keyes book)

Nomentatus 10y ago

Well, the data set is huge, so it's not coincidence. And it's unlikely that promotions cause people to grow. I was once at the opening of a Picasso exhibition where most of the people present were CEOs, and at the same place, I also attended the opening of a exhibition of Yousuf Karsh photos, where he was appeared. I'm tall, but I was nearly the shortest person in that large room both times. The only two times that's ever happened to me. As for causation, it's been experimentally tested and confirmed, with small groups picking leaders. There's a great old book retailing many remarkable such studies called "The Height of Your Life" by Ralph Keyes. It also discussed research showing that a substantial chunk of sex discrimination was actually height discrimination (see Sheryl Sandberg's remarkably high heels - she knows the score.) You said I should dig deeper - I've given you my bibliography, could you now favor me with yours?