6 signs of a Napoleon complex and how to deal with such people

• Causes
• Signs
• Negative impact on life
• Complex in men
• Manifestation in women
• Let's say no to the complex
• Famous short people
• Conclusion

One common complex associated with short stature is called the Napoleon complex. People with this complex are sure that attractiveness, well-being and other success factors depend on height. The Napoleon complex in psychology is described as a set of thoughts and behavior patterns inherent in short people. It got its name thanks to Napoleon Bonaparte, the famous French emperor, whose height was around 160 cm.

The Napoleon Complex Haunts Short People

Signs

There are certain signs of self-doubt in both men and women.

1. Choosing tall partners. As practice shows, people with Napoleon syndrome choose partners higher than themselves for relationships.
2. Demonstration of superiority. Low people try to prove their success to everyone and occupy leadership positions. They assert themselves at the expense of their subordinates.
3. Harmfulness. People with Napoleon syndrome are vulnerable and sensitive, so any comment addressed to this person will run into a wall of anger and vindictiveness.
4. Craving for large objects. Men with a Napoleonic complex are drawn to large objects: a car, a house, a curvy companion. This is how they try to compensate for the growth.
5. Perfectionism. Such people are intolerant of disorder and shortcomings. Any task must be brought to perfection, otherwise the work will not be completed.
6. Independence. They don’t allow others to help them, they consider it a pity.

Attitudes to this issue of men and women

Men are more often predisposed to having such a complex (probably the whole point is that they perceive their own short stature more difficult than women).

For such people, the desire to assert themselves in society is considered an urgently necessary factor for a full-fledged existence. Since nature has deprived them of physical data, they begin to compensate for this deficiency with other qualities and talents. It is impossible to say unequivocally that this is bad, because thanks to this desire they become real professionals in their field. However, if recognition cannot be achieved “in a good way,” then cruelty and an obsessive desire to command begin to progress.

Women experience this problem much calmer. Firstly, it gives them the opportunity to seriously engage in ballet, acrobatics, and rhythmic gymnastics. Secondly, this gives them the right to choose from absolutely all men - both tall and short. So they definitely win.

Negative impact on life

Napoleon syndrome leads to prolonged depression, lack of desire to communicate with people and lead a social life. The individual considers himself unworthy and lonely. If a person becomes completely withdrawn, thoughts of suicide are possible. The small man complex gives rise to a huge number of stereotypes in men that poison life:

• failure in relationships: men are sure that girls will give preference to a tall candidate over him. Such a stereotype is very stupid, there is no friend to his taste and color, it is important to understand that height will not prevent you from finding the love of your life;
• bad lover: many short men worry that they will not be able to satisfy a woman, but height and success in this matter are in no way interconnected;
• short people are weak: physical development and muscle gain do not depend on height - only training and physical activity influence this factor.

A short man is sure that others see him as weak

Historical reference

Photo by Liza Lova: Pexels
There is still an opinion that Napoleon was short. At the beginning of the twentieth century, the Austrian psychologist A. Adler hypothesized that it was the growth of the French emperor that prompted him to begin his aggressive activities. In psychoanalysis there is a concept of overcompensation.

This is a mental defense mechanism when a person, feeling a real or imagined deficiency, begins to compensate for his inferiority in other areas. A girl who was ugly from birth will win the Nobel Prize, and yesterday’s poor student will today receive gold at the Olympics for cross-country.

According to Adler's theory, Napoleon, who was short by nature, compensated for his shortcomings with success in government activities. The French emperor unconsciously sought to prove to others that his height did not indicate his abilities.

Today it is known that Napoleon's height was 169 cm, and this was the average height of a man for the 19th century. Thus, the story of Napoleon turned out to be a debunked myth, but the name of the psychological phenomenon was preserved in psychology.

Complex in men

Napoleon syndrome occurs in men and is characterized by complexes about their height. The complex puts pressure on a man’s psyche and affects relationships, awareness of himself and the world, and success at work. Men worry that because of their “baseness” they will not have a companion, and they become insecure. Worried about growth, they forget that women are attracted to the self-confidence that they have lost due to internal self-examination.

As the girls note, how tall a man is is not important to them. They are attracted by their charisma, confidence and radiant smile.

Who are the Napoleons?

People suffering from the Napoleon complex strive with all their might to stand out through professionalism, erudition, humor, sociability, and talent. They try to show off their intelligence, realizing that their height (and large muscles) “failed.” If they fail to attract maximum attention to themselves, they suffer greatly, become depressed and despair, because they associate physical growth with visibility and think that they are not noticed.

Most often, the Napoleon complex occurs in men, because for them physical indicators come first. In addition, men are often captive of prejudices that women look up to men, evaluate them in this way, and like a man to be taller than themselves. Actually this is not true.

“Napoleons” are characterized by perfectionism and demands on themselves. At the same time, they are often intrusive - after all, they need to prove their importance to everyone. They are very easy to offend, they are proud, vindictive and do not like criticism addressed to them. But at the same time, they do not tolerate indulgence for themselves; they prefer to solve all problems on their own. Their sharp mind allows them to find solutions where ordinary people do not see them. Another feature of the “Napoleons” is their love for everything big and majestic: they buy a large car, an impressive house, an office; They choose tall people as friends. This also shows an attempt to compensate for short stature.

Literature, films and cartoons feature brilliant and at the same time mad scientists who are trying to take over the world. They invent superweapons, unique chemical compositions, etc., creating a global catastrophe out of all this. And most often they are depicted as short people, or even dwarfs. Such works of popular culture support the myth that little people are cruel and insanely bloodthirsty. In reality, “Napoleons” are rarely truly evil; more often they are kind, although demanding. Cruelty is unprofitable for them, because they are drawn to people and are dependent on communication: “Napoleons” need to attract people to themselves by all means.

Napoleon complex or... Korais?

Many believe that Napoleon Bonaparte was short, which explains his ambition and desire to conquer the world. People around him even called him “our little corporal.” However, in reality, the height of the “little corporal” was above average: 169 cm. Kutuzov’s height was almost the same – 172 cm. Why did the legend about Napoleon's short stature spread? One explanation for this is that the soldiers and officers of his army wore lush outfits with high plumes, which visually added centimeters to them; Napoleon himself dressed simply, so against the background of his dressed-up subordinates he seemed small. Another explanation is that Napoleon was shorter than some of his contemporary rulers, in particular Alexander I. The Russian Tsar at that time was considered a giant - as much as 183 centimeters. It is clear that in the Russian court environment Napoleon was ridiculed precisely as a “little” ruler.

However, there was a man in Napoleon's circle named Adamantios Korais. This is a Greek scientist and educator who trusted France and hoped that Napoleon would help Greece, which had just gained independence. One of Korais's works is a translation of Strabo into French. The scientist presented this book to Napoleon at a ceremony. When Napoleon saw Korais heading towards him, he almost died laughing: the height of the Greek scientist was... about 1 meter. It was a real dwarf. He was dressed in a dress uniform designed for a tall man, and every now and then he tripped over a sword tied to his belt.

So it would be more correct to call this disease “Korais complex.” True, Korais himself did not suffer from an exaggerated desire to take over the world.

The rise of the world's dictators also does not support the idea that short stature is somehow connected with cruelty and bloodthirstiness. Mussolini was 169 cm tall, like Napoleon. Hitler and Stalin were 173 and 174 cm tall, respectively. Below all of them was, for example, Winston Churchill (167 cm), who could not be called a dictator.

Manifestation in women

The Napoleon complex in women is not inherent to the fair half. Small stature is a pride for a girl. It is generally accepted that girls with short stature look prettier and attract more men. Short girls can wear high-heeled shoes without any problems. Tall girls cannot afford such a luxury; they have every chance of being taller than their companion.

You want to protect short girls and protect them from all problems. However, some young ladies say that they are annoyed by the increased care and loyalty towards them.

Heels look perfect on short girls

I'm short: what to do

Are you short? It doesn’t matter, today the world has created all the conditions for you. Turn short stature into a weapon - and become more successful than your tallest friend.

Photo by Godisable Jacob: Pexels

Tall girls always look with envy at girls who, even when dating a man of average height, can afford to wear heels of any height. Did you know that short male politicians use special heels hidden in their shoes? You don’t need this, because a hairpin will always be appropriate and beautiful.

Use details in clothing that visually increase your height. Thin belts, ties, long beads, short hair will add 10-15 centimeters to you. In clothes, stylists recommend using vertical stripes and a V-neck.

Upright posture should become your calling card.

Taking all this into account, you will create the image you need, whether you want to be a stern businesswoman or a sweet romantic girl for those around you.

By the way, it is much easier for you to transform and become feminine, because on a subconscious level, it is short girls that men perceive as those who need to be protected.

Let's say no to the complex

If you have discovered a Napoleon complex in yourself, you need to get rid of it urgently:

• the first step on the path to inner harmony will be accepting yourself and your uniqueness - this indicator cannot be changed and therefore you need to love it;
• understand that success does not depend on external indicators, but on hard work;
• you can resort to visual tricks: clothes with vertical stripes make the figure appear longer;
• heels and platforms will save you - this item is more intended for women, but special platform shoes are also made for men;
• watch your figure: short and overweight people look even shorter than they are, muscle mass allows you to look larger;
• don’t slouch: healthy and beautiful posture allows you to appear taller and more attractive;
• choose a role model: there are many great people in the world who are not tall;
• don't pay attention to sarcastic people who constantly point out your height.

If self-analysis and therapy do not help, you should contact a psychologist who will sort out your Napoleon complex and help you get rid of it.

Our society also needs to change. There is no need for radical action, everyone should start with themselves. It is important for people to learn to treat themselves and others with respect.

Due to constant ridicule in society, people develop insecurity and complexes. If everyone evaluates the effect of their words before expressing them, then there will be much less psychological trauma.

If short stature is your sore point

Do you notice dissatisfaction with your growth? Do you look in the mirror and just want to call yourself short? Is it annoying to look up to others?

Photo by Rodolfo Clix: Pexels

It's time to pay attention to your condition. You may be a victim of Napoleon syndrome. There is no need to capture neighboring states or organize terror: here are some tips for restoring self-esteem:

• Appearance

It's time to turn to a stylist who will evaluate your strengths with a fresh look and help hide your shortcomings. Never worn heels? It's time to change everything. Liking yourself and learning how to choose an image is the most important skill for any girl.

• Sport

It's time to stop suffering and make yourself a candy. Yoga or fitness - the choice is yours, the main thing is the result in the form of a beautiful body. Petite, fit beauties leave no one indifferent.

• Psychologist

Perhaps height is not the only thing that worries you about yourself. You shouldn’t be silent and suffer alone. It is always better to declare your problem and solve it in the early stages, before anxiety and nerves lead to illness and weakness.

Photo by Hanna Postova on Unsplash

• Finding Strengths

It's time to learn a new hobby where your height will be an advantage. In pair dances, for example, light, short partners are much more successful than tall ladies. And in classical dance and ballet, short girls make the best pirouettes and master power figures faster.

Concerns about short stature are often just the tip of the iceberg, masking difficulties associated with self-esteem and feelings of unworthiness. Notice in time if something is bothering you, so that you can change your attitude towards life in time and avoid big difficulties in the future.

Famous short people

If you still firmly believe that success depends on height, then here is a list of short people who are famous all over the world. Once you get acquainted with it, the Napoleonic complex comes second.

1. Angus Young, singer and guitarist of the famous rock band AC/DC, is famous for his talent and crazy energy. Angus's height is 157 cm.
2. Spud Webb is a famous guard for the NBA basketball team. Height 170 cm is the shortest for a basketball career, but the basketball player proved that this is far from the main criterion.
3. Danny DeVito, 150 cm tall, became famous throughout the world thanks to his acting, directing and producing abilities.
4. Tom Cruise is a Hollywood actor. He achieved fame and became a sex symbol with a height of 170 cm.
5. Robert Downey Jr. Widely known to everyone for his role as Iron Man. He amazed everyone with his acting and made a fortune with his height of 169 cm.
6. Mary-Kate Olsen is an actress, young designer and 157 cm tall.
7. Kristen Bell is an excellent actress and is only 155 cm tall.
8. Eva Longoria. She made a revolution in the world of the modeling industry. While all short girls dreamed of a modeling career, Eva, with a height of 157 cm, became one of the most popular models.
9. Natalie Portman is an outstanding actress and is active in charity work. The girl's height is 160 cm.

These are just a few of the short people who have achieved success. This once again proves the fact that height does not affect success. Success is a concept that is determined by your work and efforts.

Distinctive characteristics of people with a Napoleon complex

Any complex is always a mental deviation, so you can’t just let it all take its course and wait for it to go away on its own. If only simply because nothing ever goes away on its own.

People who are susceptible to this complex have common symptoms:

• the desire to assert oneself in society at any cost;
• imposing one’s point of view as the only correct one;
• painful pride;
• vindictiveness and rancor;
• perfectionism;
• increased demands on oneself and others;
• the desire to surround oneself with large and expensive things;
• choosing a disproportionately tall person as a companion.

Is it really that bad? ↑

Good news for short men. Modern scientists have given them "amnesty" from the ingrained public opinion: a short person is more aggressive. They proved that taller men are more prone to this destructive feeling.

Are past feelings keeping you from moving on? Read about how to overcome the fear of new relationships. Read about the nature of fear in the article.

Feeling afraid for no reason, what could it be? Read here.

10 short and 10 tall men were selected for the Air Force program at the University of Central Lancashire. They were asked to test their physical abilities and reaction speed; during the exercise, cardiac monitors recorded the level of aggression.

The participants fenced with sticks across the table, one of them deliberately trying to hit the other on the fingers. As a result of this game, it was revealed that tall men are more aggressive.

The scientist who led the study, Dr Michael Esley, said that “small man syndrome” is a myth. And the aggression of a short person in society is associated with height because he is the first thing that catches the eye.

Studying public opinion, researchers came to the conclusion: today, 80 percent of people, despite the fact that the myth has been dispelled, believe in the increased aggressiveness of short men. It has also not been proven that they earn less and are less liked by women than their tall rivals.

Battle formations of the French troops

Infantry

It was built in columns, loose formation (a chain of riflemen) and deployed formation with a depth of two and three ranks. A square was used against cavalry. The infantry was lined up in battalions (battalion columns; battalions deployed in a line). The battalion was a tactical unit.

Cavalry

was built in deployed lines and columns. Scattered formation was used by light cavalry. It was located in battle formation separately in one or another section of the position.

Artillery

was located in advantageous positions in front, in the gaps of the first line of infantry and cavalry, and at particularly important points with the aim of shelling the enemy with concentrated fire. Sometimes there were batteries of 100 or more guns. The batteries were covered with parapets. The battery sites were artificially elevated above the terrain ahead in order to fire at the enemy in all directions.

Order of battle

divisions of the corps of Soult and Bernadotte before the Battle of Austerlitz (1805) was next. Each brigade of the division (a brigade consisted of two regiments, a division - of two brigades) was formed: in the first line, the battalions of the first regiment in a deployed formation (three-ranked formation) with riflemen in a loose formation in front; in the second line are the battalions of the second regiment, formed in columns. If the division also had a fifth regiment, then its battalions were built in columns and formed a reserve. A squadron or division of cavalry was located in 3a brigades. Artillery was placed in the intervals between the regiments of the first line and on their flanks.

With linear tactics

Long continuous lines of infantry were lined up on the battlefield with cavalry on the flanks. During shock tactics, corps and divisions in columns were secretly located behind villages or hills.

The troops forming the deployed rifle lines and loose formation formed the first echelon. They, together with the artillery, started a battle and fought it until the battalion columns entered the battle. If linear tactics were based on the simultaneous deployment and use of all or almost all of the infantry, then with shock tactics a relatively small part of the infantry began the battle - the main forces were in the second echelon. The battle was fueled from the depths by the introduction of fresh troops and strong reserves - guards and cavalry.

Column

was the main striking force. The battalions deployed in line, together with the voltigeurs, formed the first rifle line and fired volleys. If necessary, these battalions formed columns (or squares) or scattered and, together with the voltigeurs, operating in a scattered formation, fired aimed fire. Voltigeurs also, if necessary, had to be built in squares (against cavalry attacks) and in columns.

The cavalry provided the flanks and rear, and at the right moment rushed at the enemy.

Napoleon's desire to act in large columns became a kind of mania after the 1807 campaign. He was the first to introduce formations in columns of truly monstrous proportions, which were composed of entire divisions of infantry (under Wagram) or cavalry (under Eckmühl).

Artillery

Napoleon made a weapon of hitherto unheard of power. French artillery had great maneuverability on the battlefield. The artillery reserve was a powerful means of achieving victory.

Why growth?

The men's world before, and even now, has always been based on aggression. Attack, dominance, suppression in the world, physical, intellectual or social, imply large dimensions. When you see an ordinary cat in front of you, don’t worry, because even with claws and quick reaction, the most it will do is scratch.

It's another matter if there is a tiger in front of you. It's the same cat, but it's bigger, faster, and more agile than you, and the damage it will cause may be too serious.

In the physical world, size always matters. This is one of the signs of intimidation. And since men still instinctively compare themselves physically with potential competitors, being small is clearly not going to add points to them on the battlefield. If you are two meters tall, then girls pay attention to you and even with mediocre physical fitness you seem stronger than short men.

Low stature seems to signal that the opponent has nothing to fear. After all, if he is so low, then he doesn’t have much strength.

Today all this has little to do with reality. Height does not indicate social superiority, physical strength, or intelligence. But somewhere at the level of instincts, stereotypes persist and force us to look for other ways to assert ourselves.