This week’s blog is a summary from content by Dr. Rumeet Billan. Link to full articles can be found below; I would encourage you to read them in their entirety.

Tall Poppy Syndrome (TPS) is a term referring to poppies that grow higher than others and are cut down to size so that they are the same height as the flowers around them. In the workplace, this occurs when people are attacked, resented, or ostracized because of their success and/or achievements. Successful individuals are cut down, rather than celebrated, for their accomplishments. 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 Tallest Poppy 2023 is the first international study of its kind that looks at thousands of working women from all demographics and professions to determine how their mental health, well-being, engagement, and performance are affected by interactions with their clients, colleagues, and leaders surrounding their success and accomplishments. A total of 4,710 respondents took part in the survey across 103 countries. The results are significant and should be heeded. Women’s success is under attack in workplaces around the world. The more accomplished an individual is, the more likely she’ll be to face aggressions, not only from those in positions of seniority, but also from her peers. Of 4,710 women surveyed, nearly 90 per cent reported experiencing TPS at some point during their careers. TPS can manifest in different ways. It can look like being ostracized or made to feel ashamed or embarrassed because of your accomplishments. It can look like being bullied, knocked down or criticized for getting ahead. It can also look like others taking credit for work you’ve done or convincing you it’s best not to celebrate your success.

To better understand this phenomenon, we must determine who is undermining and penalizing women, and why. Aggressions come from:

• all levels of seniority – from co-workers, clients, vendors, managers and executives;
• from people outside of the workplace, such as family and friends or mothers in the school yard;
• the majority of women report that those undermining them are men;
• women are also cutting each other down and are more likely to do so to their peers, colleagues, and direct reports.

Why are we so uncomfortable with women’s success?

Respondents from the study overwhelmingly agreed on the following:

• jealousy
• envy
• sexism
• gender stereotypes
• lack of confidence
• insecurity
• competitiveness
• ageism
• greed

In the survey, 42.6 per cent of women who did speak up at work said they were given no further suggestions or advice to take action, and 23 per cent were encouraged to keep their ‘complaints’ to themselves. One respondent said she was blamed for the issue she was reporting. Another said she was told she was being too emotional. Another was given more work.

This problematic culture of silence and lack of action speaks volumes. Women want to be seen and heard in their place of work and are calling for accountability and change. In order to support Tall Poppies, respondents suggested that organizations take the following actions:

• Awareness: Listen to women when they come forward with reports of TPS.
• Accountability: Organizations must implement real and impactful actions that will begin to eliminate the culture that supports this kind of cutting down.
• Transparency: Being more forthcoming when it comes to salaries, opportunities for promotions and advancement and ensuring all employees are held to equal and equitable standards.
• Zero tolerance: The behaviour of cutting others down should no longer be overlooked or encouraged within workplaces.
• Training: Respondents shared that training around emotional intelligence, bias, communication and psychological safety would be effective. Organizations should make a practice of celebrating wins, recognizing and acknowledging people the way they want to be acknowledged and creating a culture where employees feel safe and encouraged to succeed.

Do you work in an organization that supports women?

Do you support women?

The Tallest Poppy

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/adv/article-tall-poppy-syndrome-is-impacting-corporations-and-its-not-just-a/