Generally, taller men have a more commanding presence, so people listen to them more closely. At least, that's my theory.
"Commanding presence" says much about our perceptions as a social species.
I am a 6 footer but have known men of a "commanding presence" who were shorter. Certainly I see taller men as having an imposing presence upon initial contact but I tend to evaluate body language and presentation after that to make my determinations if there appears to be potential for extended association.
I seem to be predisposed to lead in most situations and groups but I do not see it as a function of my height. I suppose it could be due to the perceptions of others based strictly on my height.
In the military one has to achieve a certain rank before being entrusted with official leadership. Once I achieved that rank and was being assigned to lead my first work party My Immediate superior advised that when I arrived on scene the men would recognize the fact of my being put in charge or named a leader. I was further advised that the men who would be in my group would have already determined a leader among their numbers. I was assured that if I wanted to be an effective leader of men I would learn to identify the de facto leader and cause him to accept me as his leader. That needed to be my first act if I were to actually become the leader of the group. I apply that to almost every situation I find myself engaged in with a group. I always thought my knowledge in that regard was the reason I was chosen to lead so often. Persist... Procreate... Prosper... Proliferate JWG
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