CEOs' facial structure predicts their firms' financial performance

Firms whose male CEOs have wider faces (relative to facial height, also known as FWHR) achieve superior financial performance. The average male facial width-height ratio (based on lots of studies) is 1.88


Researchers have theorized that innate personal traits are related to leadership success. Although links between psychological characteristics and leadership success have been well established, research has yet to identify any objective physical traits of leaders that predict organizational performance. In the research reported here, we identified leaders' facial structure as a specific physical trait that correlates with organizational performance.

Specifically, we found that firms whose male CEOs have wider faces (relative to facial height) achieve superior financial performance. Decision-making dynamics within a firm's leadership team moderate this effect, such that the relationship between a given CEO's facial measurements and his firm's financial performance is stronger in firms with cognitively simple leadership teams.

Source: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22042727

40 Comments
 

I'm sorry, but the original post to which I was responding was regarding fWHR and financial performance not testosterone. Pull up those hundreds of studies and then link them to successfully running a bank (with peer-reviewed scientific research). I dare you to waste your time on this to show some random guy off on an internet forum brah.

 

correlation is not causation, but an interesting study nonetheless. I also would be curious to see what Ken Lewis' face structure scores at, given that under him BAC went into the shitter.

also want to see different industries: I wonder what the data are for guys like Welch, Walton, Buffett, David Cote, Goizueta, Gates, Ellison, and Jobs.

Also would be curious to see if any data exist for money managers. Klarman does not have a great face (according to this model), but is arguably one of the better investment managers out there. others in that camp would be Pabrai, Marks, Dreman, Ben Graham, and Charlie Munger. All very round faced (Marks the least so, but still), curious.

 
RedM

I'm curious if body build (weight) and height also play a factor

I would imagine that plays a role more than some silly face ratio.
heister: Look at all these wannabe richies hating on an expensive salad. https://arthuxtable.com/
 

W: 206 H: 91 W/H = 2.26

I think I'm doing it wrong. I don't look at stocky as those UFC guys up top.

heister: Look at all these wannabe richies hating on an expensive salad. https://arthuxtable.com/
 

So what you are saying is that if you want to be CEO you should be spending every dollar of your seamless stipend on steak and potatoes? Yea I'll stick with living past 50.

Follow the shit your fellow monkeys say @shitWSOsays Life is hard, it's even harder when you're stupid - John Wayne
 
heister

So what you are saying is that if you want to be CEO you should be spending every dollar of your seamless stipend on steak and potatoes? Yea I'll stick with living past 50.

Steak is great for you. Don't listen to the hippies. Potatoes are not.
heister: Look at all these wannabe richies hating on an expensive salad. https://arthuxtable.com/
 

Ea et eveniet cum et ducimus quidem. Natus est excepturi at quaerat est modi. Accusantium ducimus quia vel voluptatem quia. Eaque dolor quis perferendis dolorum iusto distinctio. Quisquam consequatur quaerat ea maxime eveniet doloremque aperiam enim. In est atque ut qui blanditiis est ut. Excepturi porro nam voluptas dolores perferendis laborum.

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.7%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (46) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (80) $150
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
Mimbs's picture
Mimbs
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”