Brooke Jamieson - Tall Poppy Syndrome: How to Succeed in Tech Without Being Cut Down

Learn how to overcome Tall Poppy Syndrome, an Australian phenomenon where individuals diminish others' excellence, and instead cultivate a culture of humility, recognition, and collaboration to succeed in tech.

Key takeaways

Arrogance is not the root of tall poppy syndrome, but rather individual doubts and fears.
Tall poppy syndrome is uniquely Australian, representing a desire to diminish those who have achieved excellence.
It can manifest as criticism, condescension, and envy.
To succeed without being cut down, be humble and open about your accomplishments.
Celebrate others’ successes and create an environment where everyone’s achievements are recognized.
Leave the ladder down for others, and model this behavior from leadership.
Don’t hoard knowledge or accomplishments; instead, share them openly and celebrate others’.
Leaders must model inclusive behavior from the top to create a truly collaborative culture.
Tall poppy syndrome can have devastating impacts on teams, including decreased morale, increased stress, and turnover.
To dismantle it, model humility, recognize others’ accomplishments, and create opportunities for growth.
Individualistic cultures like the Australian culture, where people tend to be uncomfortable with individualism, may exacerbate tall poppy syndrome.
Even acknowledging tall poppy syndrome can be perceived as arrogant or dismissive, so it’s important to model the behavior you want to see.
Confident leaders can create positive cultures by being inclusive, humble, and celebratory.
Create an environment where everyone feels recognized, valued, and empowered to grow.

Brooke Jamieson - Tall Poppy Syndrome: How to Succeed in Tech Without Being Cut Down

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