From Ancient Rome to Social Media: The Enduring Lessons of the Tall Poppy Syndrome

If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants. Sir Isaac Newton

Newton's concept could be paraphrased to include "shoulders of Tall Poppies." A similar notion is to surround yourself with Tall Poppies and, by good envy, emulate them to better yourself (see Good Envy and Tennis Tall Poppies).

La Trobe University is a public research university based in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, with its main campus located in the suburb of Bundoora. Established in 1964, it was the third university in Victoria and the twelfth in Australia. The university was named after Charles Joseph La Trobe, the first Governor of Victoria, and has a reputation for being innovative in its academic structure and approach.

La Trobe is particularly noted for its research in health and biomedical sciences, agriculture and food, environmental sciences, and social sciences. It has also established strong partnerships with industry, government, and communities, focusing on practical and impactful research that addresses real-world challenges.

Duc Anh Bui is a student at La Trobe. He is from Ha Noi, Vietnam. One of his assignments was to make a podcast regarding TPS. Duc contacted me as part of his investigation.

I was extremely excited to be part of Duc's project, mainly because we had few "degrees of separation." I was involved in teaching for most of my professional career. The subject was of great interest to me. I was introduced to TPS by an Australian friend. Potentially, one of Duc's family members and I were on opposite sides of the "killing fields" many years ago when I served in the U.S. Army Medical Corps (see Veterans Day and Tall Poppies).

Duc shared his completed podcast with me, and I am sharing it with you. It is very professional, informative, and deserving of an "A."

"The discomfort we feel when someone else’s success makes us question our own standing. It’s envy mixed with fairness. In some cases, it’s even a desire for humility. But left unchecked, it can become a cultural habit: we start cutting people down simply for standing out." ~ Duc Anh Bui (La Trobe University)

Transcript (edited)

Tall Poppy Syndrome: Why We Cut Down High Achievers

In 6th century BC Rome, the story goes that King Tarquin the Proud walked silently through a garden. He said nothing, but as he passed, he cut the heads off the tallest poppies. His message to his son? “When people rise too far above others, they must be brought down.”

It wasn’t gardening tip. It was a warning—about power and about pride.

Today, we call this idea Tall Poppy Syndrome (TPS). It’s a cultural instinct to cut down high achievers—to make sure no one flies too high, shines too brightly, or gets too far ahead of the rest.

Ever celebrated a friend’s win but felt a twinge of jealousy? Heard a coworker joke when someone gets promoted? Maybe you’ve heard someone say, “Yeah, but she just got lucky.” That’s TPS in action.

At its core, TPS isn’t about hatred—it’s about discomfort. It’s the uneasy feeling we get when someone else’s success makes us question our own standing. It’s envy, mixed with a sense of fairness. Sometimes it’s even a desire for humility. But if left unchecked, it becomes a cultural habit—cutting people down simply for standing out.

Psychologists define a “tall poppy” as someone with high status—due to skill, fame, wealth, or visibility. TPS is society’s response: Cut them down.

This phenomenon isn’t unique to one place:

• In Japan: “The nail that sticks out gets hammered down.”
• In the Netherlands: “The tall tree catches the most wind.”

Wherever you go, the message is the same: Don’t stand out too much. Why? Because celebrating one person too much can feel unfair or even threatening. We crave community—not hierarchy. In that desire for equality, we sometimes punish success.

A Case Study: Australia

In Australia, TPS has deep roots. It started in the early 20th century, tied to resentment toward high-earning public servants. Over time, it evolved into a broader cultural value: everyone deserves a fair go.

TPS there is tangled up with egalitarianism—the belief that no one is better than anyone else. But it also comes with a catch: a deep discomfort with people who seek status or stand out.

So, who gets targeted?

• The first person in a family to go to college
• Someone who suddenly goes viral
• The standout performer at work

The moment you rise above, you risk becoming a target.

Warmth, Competence, and “Deservingness”

Dr. Matthew Marquez, a social psychologist at La Trobe University, explains that our response often depends on how we judge someone's warmth and competence.

“We like successful people—if they’re warm and humble. But if they come off as cold or arrogant, that’s when the cutting begins.”

Studies show we’re more accepting of success when we believe it’s deserved. But if someone seems to brag, cheat, or luck their way to the top? People feel justified in cutting them down.

Those who believe in strict social hierarchies—what researchers call “high social dominance orientation”—are especially prone to TPS. Ironically, people who claim to value equality may still resent success that stands out too far.

There’s also Schadenfreude—the guilty pleasure of watching someone fall. If we think they didn’t earn their success, their stumble can feel satisfying.

Public vs. Private TPS

Dr. Doug Garland, author of Tall Poppy Syndrome: The Joy of Cutting Others Down, breaks TPS into two types:

• Private TPS: Happens in families, classrooms, workplaces—anywhere people interact regularly. It’s subtle, quiet, and often unspoken.
• Public TPS: Happens on the big stage. Think celebrities, influencers, or viral success stories.

“I found it in every society, every time period. It’s everywhere—from kindergarten to the medical field.”

TPS in the Age of Social Media

The internet has supercharged TPS. Post a photo of an award or share a business win, and suddenly you’re a tall poppy in the open field.

You might inspire others—or face backlash:

• “Must be nice.”
• “She’s so full of herself.”
• “Who does he think he is?”

Social media amplifies both envy and fear of envy. Some people start hiding their wins. Others stop sharing altogether. The fear of “looking too tall” keeps them silent.

So What Do We Do?

TPS reminds us that success is a double-edged sword. On one side, it can inspire. On the other, it can threaten.

But we have a choice:
Do we cut each other down—or lift each other up?

The research—and honestly, just good common sense—suggests a better path:

• Celebrate other people’s wins
• Offer genuine compliments
• Recognize that someone else’s success doesn’t diminish your own

Because cutting down a tall poppy doesn’t make the field taller.
But a pat on the back? A heartfelt cheer?
That just might help us all grow.

Thanks for reading. If this piece got you thinking about success, fairness, or how we respond when others shine, share it with a friend, a colleague—or a fellow tall poppy.

And remember: Next time someone stands out, ask yourself—Am I a cutter or a back-slapper?