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Research shows Tall Poppy Syndrome negatively affects New Zealand entrepreneurs
20 July 2022
New research by Otago Polytechnic’s Dr Jo Kirkwood and Professor Rod McNaughton, Academic Director of the University of Auckland Business School’s Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, shows Tall Poppy Syndrome is affecting the well-being of New Zealand entrepreneurs.
Tall Poppy Syndrome is a cultural phenomenon, ascribed particularly to New Zealand and Australia, where those who are aspirational are brutally criticised – ‘cutting down the tall poppy’. At the end of 2021, the debate about Tall Poppy Syndrome resurfaced, following the tragic case of a young entrepreneur who died by suicide. Kirkwood and McNaughton wanted to understand more about how people experience Tall Poppy Syndrome and uncover what, if anything, can be done about it.
The survey shows that cutting remarks about success most frequently come from colleagues during face-to-face conversations. Comments from faceless keyboard warriors on social media are a distant second.
McNaughton points out that while this isn’t great news, it offers hope Tall Poppy Syndrome can be addressed. “We can change the conversation by starting with those closest to us. We need to reframe success so that others share and amplify it, not resent or envy it”, he says.
“Many of the comments were very sad, with participants telling us their experience of Tall Poppy caused self-doubt, depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, loss of opportunities, or caused them to leave the country. Tall Poppy affects the well-being of individuals and, by extension, hurts our society and economy.”
Kirkwood and McNaughton want to thank the nearly 300 people who shared their experiences and thoughts on how Tall Poppy impacts New Zealand and what we can do about it. Read a summary of their findings.
20 July 2022
New research by Otago Polytechnic’s Dr Jo Kirkwood and Professor Rod McNaughton, Academic Director of the University of Auckland Business School’s Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, shows Tall Poppy Syndrome is affecting the well-being of New Zealand entrepreneurs.
Tall Poppy Syndrome is a cultural phenomenon, ascribed particularly to New Zealand and Australia, where those who are aspirational are brutally criticised – ‘cutting down the tall poppy’. At the end of 2021, the debate about Tall Poppy Syndrome resurfaced, following the tragic case of a young entrepreneur who died by suicide. Kirkwood and McNaughton wanted to understand more about how people experience Tall Poppy Syndrome and uncover what, if anything, can be done about it.
The survey shows that cutting remarks about success most frequently come from colleagues during face-to-face conversations. Comments from faceless keyboard warriors on social media are a distant second.
McNaughton points out that while this isn’t great news, it offers hope Tall Poppy Syndrome can be addressed. “We can change the conversation by starting with those closest to us. We need to reframe success so that others share and amplify it, not resent or envy it”, he says.
“Many of the comments were very sad, with participants telling us their experience of Tall Poppy caused self-doubt, depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, loss of opportunities, or caused them to leave the country. Tall Poppy affects the well-being of individuals and, by extension, hurts our society and economy.”
Kirkwood and McNaughton want to thank the nearly 300 people who shared their experiences and thoughts on how Tall Poppy impacts New Zealand and what we can do about it. Read a summary of their findings.
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