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High heels have sparked discussions for decades. Some see them as a pleasure to the eye, while others are more concerned about the health risks. But how does this play out in a professional setting? What is the impact of high heels in the workplace? Researchers at the University of North Carolina have investigated this.
High heels are attractive
First, the researchers looked at the influence of high heels without considering the work environment. A total of 448 participants had to answer questions about women wearing high heels. The same questions were asked when viewing women in flat shoes.
The study revealed that a woman in high heels was perceived as fitter, more sexually and physically attractive. She was also viewed as more feminine than when wearing flat shoes. This opinion was shared by both the men and women participating in the study.
Interestingly, men associated women in high heels with holding a higher professional position, compared to when they wore flat shoes. However, this didn’t affect women’s judgments; the choice of footwear did not influence their assessment of another woman’s professional status.
High heels in the workplace
Sreedhari Desai, an associate professor of organizational behavior at the Kenan-Flagler Business School of the University of North Carolina, wanted to explore this further. Following this study, she examined the impact of high heels in a professional context. During an online discussion with Max Bazerman of Harvard Business School, she shared her findings.
The research focused on different work scenarios: teaching in front of a class, giving a presentation, applying for a job, and participating in negotiations. The only difference was the woman’s footwear—one time she wore heels, and the other time, flat shoes.
In all situations, the woman wearing flat shoes received higher ratings, was seen as more capable, and was considered better prepared. Both men and women aged between 20 and 50 years held the same opinion.
Sexy vs. capable
The results show that while a woman in high heels is seen as attractive and, according to men, likely to hold a higher position, flat shoes convey the impression of someone capable and well-prepared. This seems contradictory, as one might expect a woman in a high-ranking position to also be seen as capable and prepared—otherwise, how would she have reached that role?
Here, the stereotype of attractive women comes into play. It’s often thought that a woman can only reach a high position with “something extra,” such as being good-looking, wearing appealing clothing, or even maintaining (sexual) relationships with influential men. These are factors unrelated to a woman’s abilities, yet they are often mentioned when she receives a promotion.
Many people are not even aware of these biases. For example, 90% of Dutch people believe women are just as suited for top positions as men. Yet, only 12.4% of board members at large companies are women. When it comes to supervisory boards, women hold 20.4% of these roles.
This study reveals more than just what high heels or flat shoes may signal. It holds up a mirror to us—one that can be difficult to look into because it’s confronting, but it’s undeniably clear. Painfully clear.
Best regards,
Aileen