Are you experiencing 'tall poppy syndrome'? Subtle workplace signs to notice

Success isn’t always greeted with applause. In some workplaces, climbing the ladder can bring subtle pushback, colleagues who downplay your achievements, exclude you from conversations, or dismiss your ambitions as arrogance.

This quiet resistance has a name: Tall Poppy Syndrome.The metaphor comes from the tallest flower in a field being cut down so the others can remain equal. First recognized in Australia and New Zealand, the idea is now used globally to describe how high achievers are “trimmed down” for standing out.Different cultures phrase it differently, Japan says, “the nail that sticks up gets hammered down,” while Scandinavia refers to the Law of Jante.

The meaning is the same: don’t shine too brightly.

A landmark paper known as The Tallest Poppy Report, led by Dr. Rumeet Billan with Women of Influence+, surveyed more than 4,700 professionals in 103 countries. It revealed how being “cut down” isn’t just a passing slight, it affects women disproportionately, lowering confidence, worsening mental health, and reducing workplace engagement.So what does Tall Poppy Syndrome look like in everyday office life? Here are a few signs.

“Too ambitious”

Ambition, in some environments, is seen as disruptive rather than motivating. Colleagues may frame it as arrogance: “She was too full of herself, so she had it coming.” Often, this reaction is rooted in insecurity. Seeing someone else excel forces people to confront their own perceived shortcomings. Instead of using that as fuel to grow, they choose to diminish the person succeeding.

Exclusion and subtle hostility

Being left out of key meetings, not invited to workplace outings, or denied opportunities for advancement are all quiet ways of “cutting down.”

Managers may even keep high performers in place rather than promote them, worried about losing productivity if they move up. The result is frustration on both sides. High achievers feel unrecognized and anxious, while companies lose out on innovation and growth. Many stop speaking up or deliberately hide their potential, simply to avoid standing out further.

Reluctance to show creative work

This is not to say that Tall Poppy Syndrome is limited to just workplaces. Artists, musicians, and entrepreneurs often hesitate to put their work forward for fear of being ridiculed or called “cringe.” The Tallest Poppy Report notes this tendency feeds into a wider cultural hesitation to celebrate local achievements.For example, in some countries, homegrown art is undervalued compared to imported talent. Local pop singers may be mocked as copies, while international acts are praised.