Tall Poppy Syndrome

Susie J Folmer, 10 July, 2023

Tall Poppy Syndrome happens globally while originally recognised in Australia and New Zealand.

Tall poppy syndrome is a societal attitude and phenomenon occurring when people are attacked, resented, disliked, excluded, cut down or criticised for their success and merit.

Rather than celebrating the achievements of someone for their achievements and contributions, they are cut down and often unconsciously relegated, overtly or covertly.

Counterintuitive to the ideas of celebrating achievements and lifting one another up, it continues to permeate society. Whilst not having an overt gender bias, Tall Poppy Syndrome is identifiably more common with women.

So let’s celebrate each others successes so that we all can enjoy the amazing contributions people make rather than trying to undermine, sabotage or collude to destroy them. It will become an dull and empty world if we were all to behave the same, think the same, contribute nothing, and suppress voices of those who do contribute much to making community, societyand the world a better place.

Envy, the Greek philosopher Plutarch knew, was the only disorder of the soul that no one confessed to. There are two sides to this feeling of resentfulness towards the successful or the lucky. The reaction of envious people and how those who are being envied handle them. Both play a role in Tall Poppy Syndrome” (https://themindcollection.com/tall-poppy-syndrome/)

Some helpful research-based articles:

•https://themindcollection.com/tall-poppy-syndrome/

•https://harpersbazaar.com.au/tall-poppy-syndrome-wellbeing-mental-health/

“The Tallest Poppy, a study led by Dr. Rumeet Billan, reveals the consequences of this silent systemic syndrome and the impact it has on women in the workplace worldwide. The study examines the impact of Tall Poppy Syndrome on the individual and the cost to organizations.”
•https://www.womenofinfluence.ca/tps/

© Susie J Folmer