Tall Poppy Syndrome: Why Success Becomes a Liability for Women
Explore Tall Poppy Syndrome (TPS) and why professional success can become a liability for women. Learn why high achievers are often undermined in the workplace.
Best quote from Tall Poppy Syndrome: Why Success Becomes a Liability for Women
Tall Poppy Syndrome is a reflection of their insecurities, not your value. If you weren't a threat, they wouldn't be trying to cut you down, but you don't have to dim your light to make others comfortable.
This audio lesson was created by a BeFreed community member
What makes a me a target with other woman and why I should be catious with being a poppy seed tall poppy syndrome when it comes to woman but also men.
Frequently Asked Questions
Tall Poppy Syndrome, or TPS, is a social phenomenon where individuals who achieve high levels of success are resented, attacked, or cut down. The term comes from the visual of a field of poppies where any flower that grows taller than the rest is snipped down to keep the field level. In the workplace, this manifests as successful individuals being penalized or undermined specifically because of their professional achievements and excellence.
Research indicates that Tall Poppy Syndrome significantly impacts women, with nearly ninety percent of women worldwide reporting they have been penalized or undermined at work due to their success. A 2023 survey of over four thousand women across more than a hundred countries found that 86.8% felt their achievements were undermined. This creates a challenging environment where excellence feels like a liability rather than a cause for celebration among colleagues.
Success can become a liability when gender dynamics and social impulses lead others to pull high achievers back down. While women are often encouraged to lean in and aim high, they frequently encounter an invisible ceiling where their milestones are met with hostility instead of support. This workplace undermining can come from both men and women, making successful women feel they must be cautious about their professional accomplishments to avoid becoming a target.
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From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
