[CAREER NEWS] Overcoming tall poppy syndrome for career advancement

NEWSLETTER CAREER NEWS IÉSEG NETWORK - SEPTEMBER 2024

Overcoming tall poppy syndrome for career advancement

Imagine you're highly committed to your work and your achievements speak for themselves. Yet, instead of receiving encouragement, you perceive envious glances, sarcastic comments, or even attempts to hinder your progress or sideline you. If this sounds familiar, you may be experiencing tall poppy syndrome. This discreet but insidious phenomenon affects many brilliant professionals. How does this syndrome arise in the workplace? What are its signs and consequences? And above all, how can you deal with it so that you can continue to flourish in your career?

Origins

The tall poppy syndrome is an attitude and a social phenomenon that manifests itself in the resentment, exclusion or criticism of people who stand out because of their difference, their successful career path or their achievements.

Tall Poppy syndrome was first popularized in 1984 by Susan Mitchell in her book "Tall Poppies", and more recently by Doug Garland in "The Tall Poppy syndrome". 

The tall poppy syndrome has its origins in a visual metaphor: that of a field of poppies where some, taller than others, stand out for their height. These protruding poppies represent an exception in a generally uniform field. In order to maintain a consistent, homogeneous appearance, these poppies are often the first to be cut. This image illustrates the social dynamic where those who stand out for their achievements or exceptional skills are often targeted to be brought down to the same level as their peers.

Definition

The tall poppy syndrome describes a phenomenon in which particularly bright or successful individuals are unconsciously, overtly or covertly ostracized or denigrated by their peers... In concrete terms, this can take the form of jealousy, derogatory comments, criticism and/or insidious malicious attitudes. The aim of these behaviors is to "cut the head off" those who stand out, in order to bring them down to the level perceived as acceptable by others.

The term Tall Poppy syndrome has its roots in Australian and British culture, but is now recognized as a cultural phenomenon and observed worldwide.

Tall Poppy Syndrome affects both men and women, but women are particularly victimized. What's striking, according to the 2018 study by Canadian researcher Rumeet Billan, is the propensity of women to want to cut off the poppy's head: 31% of women versus 27.6% of men, highlighting a notable tendency for women to actively participate in this phenomenon (i.e. internalized misogyny).

Causes

The causes of tall poppy syndrome are manifold and often linked to power dynamics and personal insecurities. Among the main causes are:

1. The need to conform: in some corporate cultures, standing out from the crowd can be perceived as negative. The pressure to conform to established norms can lead to the rejection of those who deviate by virtue of their personality or success.
2. Fear of change: a high performer can be perceived as an agent of change, which can scare off those who prefer the status quo.
3. Low self-esteem: which can spill over into feelings of inferiority and insecurity when people compare themselves with others.
4. Jealousy: colleagues may feel envious of someone else's successes, especially if they feel that these successes highlight their own weaknesses or inadequacies. 

Signs

The forms that tall poppy syndrome can take are insidious, sometimes subtle, but the consequences of this phenomenon are tangible and sometimes devastating.

The tall poppy syndrome manifests itself in many ways, from subtle behaviors to more direct actions:

1. Micro-aggressions and criticism: a victim of this syndrome may be denigrated or suffer derogatory remarks from those around him or her at work.
2. Social isolation: colleagues may deliberately exclude the high performer from important discussions or projects, often by stealth.
3. Minimization of success: the person's achievements are ignored or denigrated or attributed to external factors such as luck or the help of others, rather than to their skills or work (an atmosphere of false modesty and resentment).
4. Deliberate obstacles: some may go so far as to put obstacles in the way of the high performer, such as refusing help, information sharing, resources or development opportunities.

What impact does this syndrome have on sufferers?

Victims of this syndrome will observe a certain number of behaviors gradually taking hold, the consequences of which, according to some psychologists, are very similar to moral harassment:

·       Reduced confidence, anxiety, exhaustion or depression (psychological insecurity)

·       Self-censorship in sharing ideas to avoid bad actions towards oneself

·       Be restrained in announcing good news to avoid embarrassing peers

·       Social exclusion

·       Minimizing successes and wanting to take a back seat

·       Refusal to celebrate success

·       Distrust of the team

·       Refusal to take risks to avoid judgment

·       Lower productivity

How to prevent the symptoms of tall poppy?

• Stay true to your values: keep your professional principles and objectives in mind, so as not to be swayed by criticism or insidious attempts to devalue you.
• Surround yourself with allies: build a support network inside and outside the company to share experiences and get advice.
• Building self-confidence: work on your personal confidence through personal development activities, reminding yourself of your successes and your range of strengths and skills.
• Dealing with criticism: learning to distinguish constructive criticism from malicious attacks, and not letting the latter affect your morale.
• Gain some distance: learn to put attempts at destabilization into perspective and remember that these behaviors often reflect the insecurities of their perpetrators, not their own shortcomings.
• Communicate clearly: express yourself confidently about your achievements without appearing arrogant, while also valuing the contributions of others.
• Avoid isolation: actively participate in social and professional activities to stay connected with colleagues and avoid being perceived as distant or elitist.
• Focus on your goals: stay focused on your long-term ambitions and don't let yourself be distracted by negative behaviors around you.
• Seek positive feedback: regularly solicit positive, constructive feedback from mentors, superiors or trusted colleagues to stay motivated and progress.
• Get help or support: share your experiences with your manager or other colleagues as a first step, or seek support from a mental health professional as a second. Treatment can take the form of stress-reduction techniques, potential-optimization techniques or, as a last resort, medication.

Conclusion

The tall poppy syndrome affects both those who shine and those who, out of insecurity, seek to denigrate or ignore them. 

For those who suffer from this syndrome, it's essential to distance themselves, stay true to their values and not let these behaviors hold them back. 

As for those who may feel threatened by the success of others, it's important to recognize that other people's success doesn't take anything away from their own, and that differences are a source of richness. 

Indeed, by cultivating an environment of mutual respect and recognition, everyone can contribute to greater collective success. As in a garden, where each flower - whatever its size and species - as it grows brings its own unique beauty, it's by letting each talent flourish that the whole garden truly prospers and becomes harmonious😊

Elizabeth TOUCAS - Executive Strengths Coach & Career Manager - IÉSEG Network

For any requests you may have for personalized Executive Coaching or for information on the Career Development Services, please contact me: e.toucas@ieseg.fr or +33.6.85.33.01.57.