Imposter VS Tall Poppy Syndrome.

Have you ever achieved something good only for someone to pull you down?

It could be Tall Poppy Syndrome. This is a topic that comes up a lot in my work. But this past week alone, it’s been raised 3 times, which has inspired this newsletter. 

Imposter VS Tall Poppy Syndrome.When others try to cut you down, and you’re already questioning if you deserve to be up there in the first place. 

Imposter Syndrome blocks us from internalising and owning our success. It tells us we’re not qualified, not smart enough, not ready despite evidence to prove we are. Imposter thoughts and stories take over telling us, ‘that we’re just lucky’ or we’re ‘one mistake away from being exposed’.

But what happens when that internal voice gets external validation?

When the people around you, colleagues, managers, peers, even friends subtly (or not-so-subtly) try to cut you down?

That’s the insidious nature of Tall Poppy Syndrome and when paired with Imposter Syndrome, it can feel like accelerant on an already simmering fire.

Tall Poppy Syndrome is the cultural tendency to criticise, resent, talk down or undermine people who are achieving, excelling, or simply standing tall. The phrase originates from ancient Rome, but it’s most deeply embedded in countries like Australia and New Zealand, and some Scandinavian countries like Sweden as one example. The idea of “no one is better than anyone else” can, at its extreme, fuel resentment or backlash against those who excel.

It also thrives in cultures where modesty is prized, but the line between modesty and hostility can become blurred.

Success is sometimes tolerated, but not too much success. Confidence is respected, but only if it stays quiet. If you become “too much,” you risk being cut down to size. As a whole, Tall Poppy Syndrome is often dressed up as humility or ‘levelling the playing field’.  But let’s call it what it really is: Insecurity, projected outward.

And even if it’s directed at you from people who profess to care about you it does have harmful effects. 

Tall Poppy Syndrome can sound like:

“Don’t get ahead of yourself.”

“You’re not special”

“You’ve changed, you think you're too good for us now.”

“You’re getting a big head.”

“Must be nice to have had it so easy.”

Tall Poppy Syndrome doesn’t just sting it reinforces the exact lies Imposter Syndrome already tells you. 

And if you’re already struggling to internalise your competence & success, this kind of feedback becomes confirmation bias. You start shrinking, dimming your light and over-apologising. You second-guess whether you’ve actually earned your place or if everyone else secretly agrees you shouldn’t be there.

But here’s the thing: Tall Poppy Syndrome is not a reflection of you. It’s a reflection of someone else’s discomfort with your growth.  

It has nothing to do with your actual worth and everything to do with their fear, negative comparison, or need to control the narrative. Perhaps they’re the one’s with low self worth.

Tall Poppy attacks easily become a toxic loop for those experiencing Imposter Syndrome: Success leads to self-sabotage (from within or outside), which fuels the negative story in our heads which keeps Imposter Syndrome alive.

But you don’t overcome Imposter Syndrome by staying small.

You overcome it by standing tall anyway.

Here’s how to fight the fire, not fuel it: 

 • Recognise the source: When criticism or pull-back energy comes your way, pause and assess. Is it constructive or just insecurity in disguise?

 • Affirm your evidence: Imposter Syndrome is a disconnect between capability/evidence and internalisation. Revisit the facts of your success. Re-anchor in the data, not the drama.

 • Surround yourself with expanders, not shrinkers: Protect your space. Seek out people who celebrate your success not minimise it.

 • Celebrate proudly and often: Don’t wait for permission. The world doesn’t benefit from your silence and neither does your confidence. This can be a simple fist pump to yourself or popping champagne, whatever feels authentic to you. BUT the acknowledgement /internalising of success is a critical step on the road to conquering Imposter Syndrome.

 • Say this to yourself often:

“I have earned this. I am allowed to be proud. I will not shrink to soothe someone else’s discomfort.” I refer to these statements as Evidence Based Statements in Conquer Your Imposter™ 

You didn’t achieve your success by accident.

You’ve grown, you’ve worked hard, you’ve earned it and you’re growing still.

And that growth deserves to be seen, owned, and celebrated.

Because cutting yourself down never protects you from judgment it only robs you of joy.

Have you been on the end of Tall Poppy Syndrome?

I’d love top hear your insights, simply HIT REPLY if there’s something you’d like to share.

Until next week.