How tall are people in the business world?

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So I am thinking about educating myself at a high-end business school but I can't help but be worried about how I'll fit in hiehgt wise. I've often heard that the world of financial business is full of tall successful people in a competitive environment. I am aiming for 186CM after lengthening my legs, my question is if this will be seen as a respectable height in your experience (in case anyone has any) or maybe I'm just being paranoid and I'm fine?

-I live in sweden, the average height for young men is about 181CM but as usual it feels even higher.

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Ferrari 275 California - are you also scandinavian?

If so how tall would you say most of the men you work with are, and do men of a more "moderate" tall height (maybe 188-195) recieve the same advantages as your 203CM colleague?

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Thanks for the in-depth answers but I still don't understand: do you work in california or scandinavia?

You do use CM and refer to a scandinavian average so I'll assume the latter. You say 175-190CM is the most common range from that I gather that perhaps 183CM is a quite medium height in the business world, good news for me -that means I would not be short if I lenghten to 186CM. Also thanks for sharing your experience in how height and presence work in business. I'm sure you're very competent and charistmatic, 163CM is short indeed especially in N. europe so any increase in height will surely be of benefit.

On a less serious note, would you say your tall colleagues (193 and 203CM) got a lot of women just by being really tall?

Always knew height was important but never to such an extent.

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Quote from: Blackhawk on February 03, 2015, 12:10:50 AMHeight doesn't mean as much as people think in business.  I have worked at trading companies, hedge funds, and brokerage firms in Chicago for almost 10 years.  I am 5'6" and it hasn't held me back much.  Last year the company I worked for was going out of business.  After years of lay offs, me and the CFO were the only 2 left in the accounting/finance group.  He is about 6'4"-6'5".  They let him go before me and I was the last one left.  Being tall and good looking will get your foot in the door or gets you more respect at first BUT you have to back it up.  I have a CPA and am working on an MBA in finance right now.  As you get older, more experienced, and more education, height becomes less important.  It will always be a benefit but it diminishes.

To answer your question.  I would say that being around 6' to 6'2" is the optimal height.  But being average won't hold you back.  At 5'6" things are tougher for me at first but once I prove myself I do get the respect that I deserve.

Thanks man I feel more at ease all ready.