by Eftihia Arkoudis, D.M.A., Thaddaeus Bourne, D.M.A., & José Valentino Ruiz, Ph.D.

Success is a tricky beast. You work hard, climb the ladder—whether it’s made of corporate rungs or the wild vines of entrepreneurship—and suddenly, you’re the tallest poppy in the field. Cue the shears. This little phenomenon, known as Tall Poppy Syndrome (TPS), is when folks try to chop you down not because you’re failing, but because you’re winning. It’s the workplace equivalent of crabs in a bucket, except with more passive-aggressive emails and fewer claws. For entrepreneurs especially, whose paths are often paved with grit, risk, and a healthy dose of “I’ll show ‘em,” TPS can feel like a personal attack on your hustle. This article discusses why this happens across professional ventures, what it looks like, and how to keep standing tall without apologizing for your shine. Spoiler: hiding under a rock isn’t an option—your legacy deserves better.

What’s This Tall Poppy Business All About?

Picture a field of poppies, all swaying happily at the same height—until one shoots up, bold and bright. Suddenly, the vibe shifts: “Who does this flower think it is?” That’s TPS in a nutshell. It’s a cultural quirk where standing out gets you side-eye instead of applause, and it’s not just an Australian or New Zealand thing—it’s global (Feather, 1994). In workplaces, from startups to boardrooms, TPS rears its head when your success—especially if it’s unconventional—makes others twitchy. Maybe you landed a big client, launched a side hustle that’s outpacing the main gig, or just dared to be excellent in a sea of “good enough.” Instead of high-fives, you get whispers, snubs, or that classic “Oh, you think you’re so special” vibe.

Why? Because your wins can spotlight someone else’s insecurities. Psychologists call it a mix of envy and a craving for conformity—basically, humans don’t always love it when someone rocks the boat by being awesome (Psychology Today, 2025). For entrepreneurs, this hits harder. You’re already the odd duck who said, “Nah, I’ll build my own path,” and when that path starts sprouting gold, the tall-poppy police show up with their metaphorical hedge trimmers.

Why Entrepreneurs Get the TPS Treatment

Entrepreneurial souls—you know who you are—are prime targets for TPS. You didn’t climb the traditional ladder; you built your own out of duct tape and dreams. That non-conformity? It’s a neon sign screaming “threat” to folks who play by the rules and like it that way. Studies show that when entrepreneurs flaunt success (or even just exist successfully), it can rattle cages, especially in environments obsessed with leveling the playing field (Kirkwood, 2015). Think about it: you’re out there closing deals, speaking at events, or posting your latest win on LinkedIn, and suddenly, colleagues or peers start acting like you’ve personally offended their coffee machine or give you the silent treatment.

It’s not just personal—it’s baked into the system. Workplaces often run on unspoken codes: don’t outshine the boss, don’t disrupt the status quo, and definitely don’t make us feel like we’re not keeping up. When you, the entrepreneur, roll in with real-world wins—clients, cash, or credibility—it’s like bringing a flamethrower to a candle party. They’re not mad because they don’t know how great you are; they’re mad because they do. And for those of us who love hierarchy and excellence (guilty!), that clash of values can feel like a daily showdown at the TPS Corral.

How It Messes with Your Professional Groove

TPS isn’t just petty office gossip—it’s a vibe-killer with real stakes. It could be as severe as having your work taken and credited by someone else or as subtle to having to soften your pitch to avoid eye-rolls. It stifles innovation too—why risk a big idea if the peanut gallery’s waiting to boo? For entrepreneurs, whose whole deal is shaking things up, this can be a creativity chokehold. Worse, it might tempt you to shrink, to dim your light so the shears stay in the shed. But here’s the rub: playing small doesn’t just hurt your momentum—it buries your legacy under a pile of “what could’ve beens.”

In ventures where adaptability and authenticity are your superpowers, TPS can also sour relationships. While some colleagues might celebrate you, others might freeze you out. It’s like trying to run a marathon with someone tying your shoelaces together—annoying, and not the point of the race.

How to Navigate TPS Without Turning Into a Shrinking Violet

So, how do you keep thriving when the tall-poppy police are on patrol? Hiding your wins or pretending you’re “just like everyone else” isn’t the move—life’s too short, and your next opportunity won’t find you under a desk. Here’s how to stand tall, stay real, and maybe even have a laugh while you’re at it:

  • Own It with a Wink: Share your successes loud and proud, but toss in some humor to disarm the haters. “Yeah, I landed that deal—turns out sleeping with my laptop paid off!” It’s not bragging if it’s a story, and it invites others to cheer instead of sneer. Make your wins a campfire everyone can warm up to, not a spotlight they squint at.
  • Find Your People: Surround yourself with allies who get it—bosses, peers, or mentors who see your hustle as a win for the team, not a threat. Those are your shield against the TPS storm.
    • Pro tip: Consider cultivating strategic alliances with high-profile individuals outside of your immediate department. Doing so can quickly transform your reputation from “that overly ambitious newcomer” to “our invaluable asset”—faster than you can say “espresso.”
  • Lift Others Up: Be the rising tide, not the lone wave. Mentor someone, share a tip, or collab on a project. When you show that success isn’t a zero-sum game, the envy fades. Plus, it’s hard to resent the person who just helped you level up—unless they’re a robot, and even then, they’d probably just beep begrudgingly.
  • Keep the Legacy Lit: Don’t let the naysayers dim your fire—document your journey. Write that blog, record that podcast, or just keep a testimonial file for your future self. Your work matters, and the world needs to see it—regardless of red tape or doubters. Think of it as planting your poppy seeds for the next generation to admire.
  • Laugh It Off: When the snark hits, shrug it with style. “Oh, sorry my win made your day harder—want me to lose next time for balance?” A little sass keeps your spirit intact and reminds everyone you’re not here to play small. Humor’s your secret sauce—sprinkle it liberally.

These moves keep you visible and vibing, no apologies needed. You’re not just dodging the shears—you’re turning them into garden art.

Why This Matters for Entrepreneurs Everywhere

TPS isn’t just a workplace quirk—it’s a wake-up call. For entrepreneurs, it’s proof that your edge comes with a target, but that’s okay. The ones who stand tall anyway—the risk-takers, the dream-chasers—shape the future. Whether you’re launching a startup, freelancing like a boss, or leading a team, this syndrome shows up wherever excellence does. The trick is to see it for what it is: a sign you’re doing something right. So, keep pushing, keep shining, keep growing, and let the poppies behind you figure out how to grow up or get out of the way.

Wrapping It Up

Tall Poppy Syndrome is the workplace’s weird way of saying, “Hey, you’re killing it—stop that!” But for entrepreneurs, stopping isn’t an option. Your success, built on grit and a refusal to blend in, is your superpower. Sure, it’ll ruffle feathers—some folks can’t handle a poppy that’s taller than their comfort zone. But by owning your wins, finding your crew, and keeping your legacy loud, you can navigate TPS without shrinking into the shadows. Life’s uncertain, opportunities don’t wait, and your work deserves to bloom. So, stand tall, laugh at the shears, and let ‘em try to keep up.

References

Feather, N. T. (1994). Attitudes toward high achievers and reactions to their fall: Theory and research concerning tall poppy syndrome. Advances in Experimental Social Psychology, 26, 1–73.

Kirkwood, J. (2015). Tall poppy syndrome: Implications for entrepreneurship in New Zealand. Journal of Management & Organization, 13(4), 345–362.

Psychology Today. (2025, February 6). 3 signs that you’re facing ‘tall poppy syndrome’. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-first-impression/202502/3-signs-that-youre-facing-tall-poppy-syndrome