Watching the movie premiere of the super-hyped musical-movie Wicked, reminded me of one of my favorite phenomena that I also address in my book “Men-In-The-Middle: Conversation to Gain Momentum with Gender Equity’s Silent Majority.” Bear with me; whether you have seen the movie or not there is a universal theme of injustice related to a flower, the Poppy.
In "Wicked," there's a memorable scene involving Elphaba – the woman in green – and her professor, Dr. Dillamond. During a classroom session, Elphaba brings Dr. Dillamond, a talking goat and her favorite professor, a bouquet of poppies, which are his favorite flowers. In “The Wizard of Oz,” the Wicked Witch of the West, the grown version of Elphaba, uses poppies to put Dorothy and her friends to sleep to stop their journey to Oz.
Elphaba did not start as the Wicked Witch. The prequal suggests that Elphaba wielded her power after she was upset about the mistreatment of animals in Oz, and highlights Elphaba’s growing awareness of injustices and her determination to fight against them.
Tall Poppy Syndrome (TPS) - What is it?
That brings me to another form of injustice I referenced in “Men-In-The-Middle.” It is called Tall Poppy Syndrome. TPS is a phenomenon where individuals are criticized, resented, or undermined because of their success or achievements. In chapter seven of the book, I refer to a study by Dr. Rumeet Billan, The Tallest Poppy. She surveyed nearly 5,000 people across 100 countries, looking at working women from all demographics to determine mental health, well-being, engagement and performance in the context of interactions with clients, colleagues and leaders. The results showed that women are under attack, and more specifically the more accomplished a woman is, the more likely she will face aggressions from those in authority and peers.
This issue is particularly prevalent among ambitious women, who often face additional scrutiny and hostility in the workplace. You might say, I have not seen that. It is an underdiscussed issue, at least at the office because there is plausible denial or even denial in general. We can justify actions by saying she does not have the right experience, when, secretly, there might be a person who feels threatened by another’s success. Who is going to say, don’t promote her because I want that job. Understanding TPS is crucial for advancing gender equity, as it highlights the subtle yet pervasive barriers that women encounter in their professional lives.
Why the Poppy?
The term "Tall Poppy Syndrome" originates from agriculture, where poppies that grow taller than the rest are cut down to maintain uniformity. In a social context, TPS refers to the tendency to "cut down" individuals who stand out due to their success. This behavior is often driven by jealousy, insecurity, or entrenched gender stereotypes that dictate how women should behave and succeed.
The poppy flower carries rich and varied symbolism across diverse cultures and contexts:
1. Remembrance and Honor: Red poppies are widely recognized as symbols of remembrance for fallen soldiers, particularly in connection with World War I.
2. Peace and Sleep: Poppies are often linked to peace and eternal sleep, partly due to the sedative properties of opium derived from some poppy species.
3. Resilience and Renewal: The poppy's ability to thrive in harsh conditions and bloom after dormancy symbolizes resilience, renewal, and the cycle of life, death, and rebirth.
4. Fertility and Fruitfulness: In some cultures, poppies are associated with fertility and fruitfulness, representing the abundance and potential of life.
5. Imagination and Dreams: Historically, poppies have been linked to dreams and the unconscious mind, believed to bridge the gap between the conscious and unconscious realms.
Each color of the poppy can also carry specific meanings:
· Red: Remembrance and sacrifice.
· White: Peace and purity.
· Purple: Honor for animal victims of war.
· Orange: Enthusiasm and creativity.
The poppy's rich symbolism makes it a powerful and versatile flower in various cultural and historical contexts.
Impact on Women
The 2023 study by Dr. Billan who founded “Women of Influence” revealed that nearly 87% of women globally have experienced TPS at some point in their careers. This phenomenon manifests in numerous ways, including being belittled, ostracized, or having their achievements downplayed. The impact on women is profound, affecting their mental health, self-confidence, and overall career progression.
Gender equity aims to provide equal opportunities and fair treatment for all genders. However, TPS undermines these efforts by penalizing women for their success. The same study revealed that 73.8% of women reported a negative impact on their mental health due to TPS, and 66.2% experienced a decline in self-confidence. These statistics underscore the need for organizations to address TPS as part of their gender equity initiatives.
Despite progress in gender equity, significant disparities remain. For instance, women hold only 29% of senior management roles globally. Additionally, women of color face compounded challenges, with 57% reporting being mistaken for administrative or custodial staff compared to just 7% of white men. These statistics highlight the intersectional nature of gender bias and the importance of addressing all forms of discrimination.
Addressing Tall Poppy Syndrome
In the Wizard of Oz, it is the Good Witch Glinda that send snow to Oz to wake up the sleep Dorothy, Lion, Tin man and Scarecrow. Who or what is the antidote to TPS in corporations? Companies can take a number of steps, starting with the following:
· Raise Awareness: Educate employees about TPS and its impact on women. Awareness is the first step towards change. TPS is one of those hidden issues that often go undiscussed for a few reasons, including the willingness of people to have open dialogue. As I mentioned earlier, who is willing to say, I am holding your success and effectiveness against you? Naming something can create the right framework for those conversations.
· Promote Inclusive Leadership: Encourage leaders to support and recognize the achievements of all employees, regardless of gender. Inclusion goes well beyond gender to include experiences, diverse backgrounds, and even multi-cultural impacts where body language and non-verbals also impact communication effectiveness.
· Implement Policies: Develop and enforce policies that protect against workplace bullying and discrimination. Work life balance policies impact both women and men. Stereotypes lead many of us to believe that work and family are primarily female issues, but research shows a different perspective. As I reference a number of research pieces in my book, men and women equally struggle balancing work and family, but women are more socialized to talk about it. From my interviews with men, followed by secondary research, men do have thoughts about it, but do not say much about it; however, some do say, well if I took time off from work to raise children, my career would be impacted too. We are even seeing more companies offer child-bonding leave, yet the majority of men still do not take it for fear of impacts on the career trajectory.
· Support Networks: Create support networks for women to share their experiences and strategies for overcoming TPS. That is certainly important to have a place to share experiences. I also encourage men to at minimum engage in the conversation and ideally for men and women to experience facilitated conversations together. At the end of the day, with more than 75% of leadership position held by men, they are in positions of influence over work policies, pay and promotions; therefore, engaging men in conversations about gender equity in a safe space for both genders will lead to change.
Conclusion
Flowers are not the challenge. These hearty, resilient flowers bloom in challenging environments. It is how we treat these plants and the environment we create for all growth to thrive that makes a difference. Tall Poppy Syndrome is a significant barrier to gender equity, affecting women's mental health, career progression, and overall well-being. By understanding and addressing TPS, organizations can create more inclusive and supportive environments where all employees can thrive. Promoting gender equity requires a collective effort to recognize and dismantle the subtle biases that hold women back, and in the long run it is detrimental for men too. A rising tide lifts all boats.