Most of us have heard about imposter syndrome, but have you ever considered that there may be other cultural aspects that are subconsciously holding yourself or others back?
Growing up in New Zealand, I'm very aware of the impact culture can have on your psyche. One prominent part of Kiwi culture for me was tall poppy syndrome. When someone grows ahead - or steps outside of their place - of other people, they are reduced to the ‘size’ of others. Cutting them down ensures that no one becomes too successful and thus threatens the status quo. It was so pervasive that my high school's slogan was "growing tomorrow's tall poppies today" in an attempt to normalise success.
How did we get here?
The first recorded use of tall poppy syndrome was in 1923, in a letter to the Sydney Morning Herald. However, the phenomenon itself is much older. The idea of cutting down tall poppies is thought to have originated in ancient Greece and Rome. These cultures believed that people who became too powerful or successful threatened the community and should be cut down.
There are a few possible explanations for the origin of tall poppy syndrome. Both countries were colonised by British settlers, who brought with them their cultural values. One of these values was the idea of "keeping up with the Joneses," or striving to achieve the same level of success as their neighbours — and remnants of a harmful class system. However, this may have led to Australians and New Zealanders developing a fear of being seen as "superior" to others and a desire to avoid standing out. In Japan, a similar expression is "the nail that sticks up gets hammered down".
Egalitarianism also played a role in developing tall poppy syndrome. Australians and New Zealand strongly believe everyone should be treated equally, regardless of background or achievements. As the chart below shows, the two countries have a much smaller “Power Distance”1 — the extent to which the less powerful members of institutions and organisations within a country expect and accept that power is distributed unequally.
Another possibility is that tall poppy syndrome is a way of dealing with envy, for instance, in the workplace. When someone sees someone else excel, they can fear competition or feel threatened by their success. This envy can lead to them criticising the successful person to make themselves feel better — a form of schadenfreude. This is even more likely if the successful person is seen as different from the others or has an unfair advantage.
Whatever the origins, tall poppy syndrome is a real phenomenon that can be found in many other countries, including the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. In Japan, a similar expression is "the nail that sticks up gets hammered down."
Tall poppy syndrome can harm individuals and societies, discouraging people from achieving their full potential and creating a mediocrity culture. So, as much as I laughed about it at the time, growing tomorrow’s tall poppies is a move to challenge the notion and enable people to flourish.
Buckets of crabs
There are several other effects and biases similar to tall poppy syndrome that can influence social dynamics and individual behaviour. Here are some examples:
Crab Mentality: This refers to the tendency of some individuals to undermine or sabotage those trying to improve or succeed. It's as if crabs in a bucket pull down any crab that tries to climb out.
Confirmation Bias: This cognitive bias involves seeking or interpreting information that confirms one's preexisting beliefs or opinions, often leading to the dismissal or criticism of opposing viewpoints or achievements.
Law of Jante: A Scandinavian equivalent to the tall poppy syndrome, the Law of Jante originates from a 1933 novel by Aksel Sandemose. It contains rules and stipulations such as "You're not to think you are anything special" and "Perhaps you don't think we know a few things about you?".
Stereotype Threat: When individuals are aware of negative stereotypes associated with their group, they may underperform or self-sabotage to avoid confirming those stereotypes, which can limit their success.
These effects and biases can impact personal development, social relationships, and societal progress. Recognising and addressing them is essential for promoting a more supportive environment.
Questions for reflection
What are your attitudes towards overachievers?
Have you experienced culturally driven negativity for your successes?
How can tall poppy syndrome be challenged or overcome?
What do you think the relationship is between tall poppy syndrome and envy?
From Hofstede's cultural dimensions theory.