The Ultimate Body Language Book

This cop knows his game. By keeping the suspect in his car he gains height-authority over him.
Stages by their nature are designed to give power to the speaker. Fewer interruptions from the audience
is the direct result of being higher than them. It is very unnatural to address someone with any degree
of authority from a lower position and we instinctively know this. If there are height differences and
levels about a room, such as split levels or stairs, and your goal it to intimate or dominant someone,
then use them. For example, standing on an upper step with your target below you will give you the
upper hand every time. Addressing someone taller than you from an elevated position such that their
height is negated will make them feel very uncomfortable and uneasy. They aren’t used to playing short
stacked and they will probably do their best to rebalance the field in their favour when the opportunity
arises. Try this experiment on door-to-door solicitors the next time they interrupt you. First, be sure to
use the door as a barrier never quite opening it fully, and never ever invite them in. If you have a glass
portion of your door, close the door slightly so as to be speaking through the glass. Ideally this will
force them to address you from the next step which will be lower giving you at least a six inch height
advantage. This is usually enough to stifle their pitch or at least annoy them. Next close and re-open the
door at random intervals. This might seem cruel, but remember you never invited them, so they brought
it upon themselves!
While lifts in shoes are out of style for men, there exits shoe brands and inserts that can add up to two
inches of height. If you are 5’8”, then two inches can make a big difference in the height game, and put
you into or above the average. Women know the power of heels all to well, and should use it to their
advantage whenever possible in business and even in dating. The exception though is when the purpose
is to build cooperation rather than asserting competence. Women should use heels in dating to set their
benchmark height. It is universally recognized that women prefer men to be two to three inches taller
than they are. By simply using a heel of that height and eliminating men who don’t stack up, they can
immediately thwart unwanted advances. Most men won’t solicit from women taller than they are.