Glossary
Tall Poppy Syndrome
What is tall poppy syndrome?
Tall poppy syndrome is an informal label for resentment of, or attempts to diminish, people who stand out through achievement. The image is of cutting down the tallest flowers. It is not a clinical diagnosis.
Example
Coworkers who undermine someone specifically because their success attracts attention could fit the label. Challenging an error or unethical conduct is a different matter, even when the person being challenged is successful.
In sport, imagine teammates belittling an athlete specifically because a new record makes that person stand out. That would illustrate the same pattern. Criticism of a foul or poor teamwork would need a different explanation.
What the research found
Feather examined reactions to high achievers and their failures. Responses varied with the scenario, including whether the achiever had transgressed, and with observer characteristics.
Why it matters
The phrase gives a name to resentment of achievement. It should not become a way to dismiss every criticism or stereotype an entire society as hostile to talent. Establish what happened and why before applying it.