Is it harder to succeed in the business world being distance runner because you have the appearance of a skinny weak person

After reading your rant it's clear that your personality is what's holding you back.

Every business major should have to watch: Glengarry Glen Ross. The movie should be seen in a marketing course, reviewed and discussed then viewed and analyzed in business ethics.

You're fine as long as you carry yourself well and don't dress like a schlub. Gordon Gekko is almost distance runner skinny and no one ever calls him a "skinny weak person."

Tommy Ferrari wrote:

You're fine as long as you carry yourself well and don't dress like a schlub.

And I'll add that this is the main issue for distance runners. It's really easy to find a look that is impressive or even imposing if you are slim and fit. But if you go around wearing khakis with running shoes and a polo as your "business casual" look, yeah, you're going to come across like a skinny child. Get some good slim fitting suits or slacks and a some nice sport coats (canvassed, not some kind of fused crap from Macy's), and let the tailor at the shop do whatever they need to do to make it fit you perfectly. Throw on some good shoes and a nice watch and you're good to go.

I would argue, yes, in some professions it is.

Ever been to a conference or seminar put on by a software firm? The guys presenting the technical material/demos run the spectrum of body types. Skinny, fat, young, old, etc. No real issues with however you look in a technical role. So won't hold you back there.

But look at the sales guys. They all have the same look. They're the ones doing the introduction, working the room. They're all tall, white, on the slightly husky side (not skinny or fat, but a comforting in between), same short hair, same basic outfit, same hungry look in their eye, married, two kids, etc. For that type of sales I think being fit distance runner skinny will hold you back. The guys you're selling to won't take you seriously. You need to project success, you need to be the type of person they'll want to have a beer or go to the game with. Being skinny doesn't project that image.

However, once one makes C level, I notice that it's mostly fit people. They're still tall, same short hair, but skinnier than the sales types. A lot of the C level types work out, and take being fit seriously. So there I don't think being distance runner skinny will hold you back. But you need to get there first.

My experience is a bit different. Runners are more successful than the average unfit guy (with man boobs).

If you tell them you have run a marathon, you'll impress everyone (even walking in 4 hours is more of an accomplishment than a sub 28 10000m).

There is definitely still a boys club/frat boy clique in the business world where people can get ahead because they look the part. But I would say that this is a dying trend. As millenials are moving up in the world, I am seeing more and more of the "disruptor" companies having a lot of pride in a "come as you are" workforce. As a result, I have also seen professional services like attorneys, accountants, etc. who service the millenial run companies also embrace a bit of an anti-establishment look.

My other observation would be that I am seeing a lot of C suite types embrace personal trainers and low T clinics. Jeff Bezos was a skinny little twerp when he started Amazon. He is only 5' 7" and couldn't fill out a dress shirt back in the 1990s. When he became a gazzillionaire, he started lifting and getting swole (no info, but he has to be going to the low T clinic). I think once the C suite types get to a certain level where they can have a personal assistant do everything for them and go to a personal trainer whenever they want, they bulk up.

It's hard because you are short, not because you are skinny.

Herb Elliot and Phil Knight did okay...

No. I listen to Tupac everyday and walk into the office ready to check a mofo on a moments notice if necessary. I got mind control over deebo.

I don't believe it should be a hindrance. All through my business career, true leaders among my bosses, peers, and employees have been all sizes and shapes.

If you present yourself well (your dress. appearance, posture), move well and confidently (which should be a strength for a runner), and know what you're talking about, you'll look like a leader whether runner-skinny or rugby-scrum sized. But looking like it is only the price of admission -- you have to grab the opportunities to do it.

My last company had a 5' 4", 70 mpw Italian on the main board. AND he wore his ties ridiculously short, which is apparently a thing in some parts of Italy. Earned about $1 million per year. Was also a complete *sshole.

Gordon Gekko is a fictitious character.

Tommy Ferrari wrote:

You're fine as long as you carry yourself well and don't dress like a schlub. Gordon Gekko is almost distance runner skinny and no one ever calls him a "skinny weak person."

Bud Fox wrote:

Gordon Gekko is a fictitious character.

Tommy Ferrari wrote:

You're fine as long as you carry yourself well and don't dress like a schlub. Gordon Gekko is almost distance runner skinny and no one ever calls him a "skinny weak person."

Sure, but pretty much everyone agrees that this fictional character is basically the ultimate depiction of what an alpha male in the business world looks and acts like.

Have any of you actually spent some time in the real world? Being thin and fit is definitely a plus in the business world. Being short is a detriment.

Scattered thoughts here: Short answer is no. As stated before, kind of a dying stereotype. I work in sales. I wear good professional clothes that fit me and don’t look baggy. I am like 5’9 and 140-150. A lot of successful sales/business people look like regular people and are successful because they are relatable.

But if you do want to try to be on the same level as the big guys, make sure you have a good haircut. If you have a thin/fit looking face and neck, that projects that you’re athletic and a go getter. Again, that’s the purely superficial way to play the game.

But once you open your mouth, you gotta talk the talk and walk the walk. Appearance means less and less if you don’t have anything g substantial to offer or don’t know your stuff.

Didn't read your post. Not that interested.

Being a distance runner makes you look like a human being is supposed to look, instead of looking like all of the sloppy, obese, mouth breathers you see everywhere else.

Tommy Ferrari wrote:

Tommy Ferrari wrote:

You're fine as long as you carry yourself well and don't dress like a schlub.

And I'll add that this is the main issue for distance runners. It's really easy to find a look that is impressive or even imposing if you are slim and fit. But if you go around wearing khakis with running shoes and a polo as your "business casual" look, yeah, you're going to come across like a skinny child. Get some good slim fitting suits or slacks and a some nice sport coats (canvassed, not some kind of fused crap from Macy's), and let the tailor at the shop do whatever they need to do to make it fit you perfectly. Throw on some good shoes and a nice watch and you're good to go.

Good advice if you want to be a bank teller or junior accountant. I've been out of B school for 9 years and the only time I wore a suit and tie was when we had a meeting in London with the CEO of a large European Corporation we were buying a division from. I wore t-shirts and denims or shorts and running shoes to the office when I started my quant firm following B school. Two years later the PE partnership that bought my firm and made me a partner had an office style that was only marginally more formal, i.e. partners in denims and casual button down shirts when meeting with people. On the other hand we are not that large. We only have four partners and a low 9 figure AUM (which is mostly our money). It's not what you wear, it's what kind of skill set and work ethic you bring to the job.