What's it with the obsession with tallness? 300 years ago the Prussian kings were already fans of "the long guys". Outside of basketball, what's the point?
Examples from ALL species of vertebrates and invertebrates can be shown where "Bigger = Better".
In nearly every case it fits one of two criteria: Sexual selection and Territory Defense.
Nearly every species will attempt to make itself appear larger to attract a mate, or scare off a threat.
That said, shorter people can cultivate presence and earn respect through competence, people-skills and the like. There are many leaders in history and today who are shorter than average who can command a room. But they've mostly had to earn respect the hard way. They start off with negative points and have to work hard to even get to zero. Tall people start off with positive points is all.
OTOH... sexual selection isn't all about combat; it's really quite comforting to be the smol spoon.
Yes, it could be why Scandinavian are taller but East Europeans are not, maybe Scandinavian never faced enemies like Mongols? So in Scandinavia always solo fight (sword/axe) gave advantage to tall men while in East, archers were already able to kill taller men with ease so there was no advantage of being tall.
I wouldn't want to be taller than my current 200cm though.