What is Tall Poppy Syndrome? An executive coach explains how to overcome it at work

Ever shared a promotion, a project milestone, or even a small personal win, only to be met with a lukewarm response or a slightly sarcastic comment? That subtle resistance to someone else’s success has a name: Tall Poppy Syndrome.

What is Tall Poppy Syndrome?

Tall Poppy Syndrome refers to the tendency to criticise or resent people who achieve visible success. Rather than applauding someone for their accomplishments, others may attempt to “cut them down”, whether through dismissive comments, passive-aggressive feedback, or questioning their motives.

“We live in a very competitive society where many people are fighting for space,” explains Shireena Shroff Manchharam, founder and principal consultant of Sheens Consulting, and a life coach of 17 years. She believes that this behaviour is rarely about the “tall poppy” themselves, but their peers.

When someone else’s success triggers discomfort, it can become easier to frame that success negatively.

“In our mind, the perception becomes that the person is showing off or doing things for the wrong reasons,” she notes. But in reality, that isn’t necessarily the case.

The pressure to conform in Singapore

While we may not explicitly use the term Tall Poppy Syndrome in Singapore, its effects are still felt.

Many Singaporeans grow up internalising a familiar script: study hard, get a degree, secure a stable job, apply for a BTO, and eventually start a family. A 2022 study by Singapore Management University also found that the concept of being “kiasu”, the fear of losing out, plays a strong role in shaping behaviour and encouraging most to conform to societal expectations. 

In that sense, the “Singaporean dream” becomes more than an aspiration. It becomes a framework for what success is expected to look like. Choosing a path outside of it, whether pursuing the arts or content creation, can feel like stepping out of line.

It’s a sentiment that local indie band Sobs experienced firsthand in 2023, when they partnered with Singtel to livestream a concert from an MRT station, receiving snarky comments like “Try-hard Coachella LOL”, showing how unconventional achievements are often met with distaste rather than celebration.

From debates about supporting homegrown talent to pessimism towards unconventional career paths, these moments reflect a broader tension: when someone’s achievements challenge the norm, they can disrupt a shared understanding of what success should look like.

When Tall Poppy Syndrome shows up at work

Unfortunately, these dynamics don’t disappear in the workplace. In fact, they can become even more pronounced.

Achievements may be quietly minimised. A successful project might be brushed off with comments like, “Isn’t that just part of your job?” Confidence might be reframed as arrogance.

Sometimes the reaction is subtler, where credit gets diluted across teams, or high performers are quietly sidelined to avoid upsetting workplace dynamics. Over time, this creates a culture where visibility feels risky. Instead of taking ownership of achievements, employees start to downplay their contributions.

“When we feel like our self-esteem is being affected, it is when we allow the fake news, or the false story, to get into our head, which is that we are showing off, we should put our head down, we should be quieter, and maybe we don’t deserve the attention and praise,” reflects Shireena. 

The problem, she says, is allowing those false narratives to replace the truth.

Why do people react this way

Despite how it feels, Tall Poppy Syndrome rarely comes from pure malice. More often, it stems from insecurity and comparison. When our self-esteem feels threatened, we start comparing ourselves to others.

“We tend to judge other people’s success as negative, and we look at it through a negative lens,” Shireena voices.

Essentially, if we’re constantly measuring our worth against someone else’s achievements, their success can feel like our loss. In environments shaped by a scarcity mindset, where opportunities, promotions, or recognition feel limited, another person’s win can feel like a personal setback.

The result? Instead of feeling inspired, people turn bitter.

How to stop internalising the negativity

Shireena encourages honest self-reflection by checking for areas for improvement while still acknowledging genuine achievements.

“Always remember to show and give praise to yourself when it is deserved,” she vouches. “That is something we tend not to do in our society, and we need to do more of it.”

This is especially important in the workplace, where recognition may not always come from others. “When achievements are downplayed, go back to what is reality and what isn’t,” reminds Shireena. “We deserve a pat on the back when we do a good job.”

Being clear about your goals also helps. Whether it’s working toward a promotion, gaining experience, or building a meaningful career, staying focused on that purpose makes it easier to tune out unnecessary noise.

It’s ok to celebrate your wins

Ultimately, the antidote to Tall Poppy Syndrome isn’t shrinking ourselves. It’s redefining how we think about success.

“Personal growth is important to recognise and really to think about the word ‘personal’. It’s something that you’ve done with your own hard work,” expresses Shireena. “It needs to be celebrated.”

While it’s important to recognise the people who help us along the way, she emphasises that individual effort shouldn’t be overlooked.

Because the truth is this: a field full of tall poppies doesn’t diminish the rest — it raises the standard for everyone. And perhaps that’s exactly where the real insecurity lies.