Tall poppy syndrome: what it is, and why you should care

The Roman historian Livy told a story about King Tarquin the Proud of ancient Rome, which is theorized to be the birthplace of the tall poppy syndrome phrase. The King's son, Sextus, is said to have asked for advice on infiltrating a neighboring city. Following this, Tarquin cut the heads off the tallest poppies in his garden.

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Sextus -

Sextus subsequently interpreted this message to mean that he should eliminate the leading aristocrats of the city. He did this and it allowed Rome to conquer the city easily.

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Examples of tall poppy syndrome -

Examples of tall poppy syndrome include things like ignoring someone, excluding or silencing them, mocking their abilities, or even bullying them.

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Examples of tall poppy syndrome -

More examples include undermining someone or their work, taking credit for work someone else completed, unfairly criticizing or disciplining them, or dismissing and downplaying accomplishments.

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Who is affected the most? -

According to research, women are disproportionally affected by tall poppy syndrome. Women report a higher level of uncivil treatment at work that is said to amplify as higher levels of success are achieved.

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2023 study -

In 2023, there was a survey of 4,710 women across 103 countries and a whopping 86,8% reported they felt that others had undermined their success in the workplace. This included sexism and being held to higher standards than male colleagues.

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People of color -

Tall poppy syndrome may disproportionally affect people of color. In the same 2023 survey, 32.2% of women reported racism was a tall poppy syndrome factor.

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Factors that may cause tall poppy syndrome - There are several factors that may cause tall poppy syndrome including jealousy, sexism, gender stereotypes, and racism.

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Factors that may cause tall poppy syndrome - More examples include competitiveness, the culture of an organization, a person’s lack of confidence, and a person’s overall lack of awareness.

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Can tall poppy syndrome happen in your personal life? -

Yes, tall poppy syndrome can also occur in your personal life. Achievements can cause people such as friends, partners, and family members to treat you poorly.

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How can tall poppy syndrome affect people? -

Tall poppy syndrome can cause low self-esteem, an unwillingness to share achievements, or feeling disengaged at work.

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Mental health -

The stress from tall poppy syndrome can lead to anxiety and depression.

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Tall poppy syndrome: what it is, and why you should care

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LIFESTYLE Psychology

Have you ever noticed that as you become more successful, you actually receive more criticism? If so, you may be a victim of tall poppy syndrome. The syndrome adversely affects women and people of color more than others and is something you should take seriously. If you've never heard of it, fret not. In this gallery, you'll learn about its origins, possible symptoms, and advice on counteracting it.

Curious about tall poppy syndrome? Click through now.