At another interesting Innovation Bay dinner last night someone raised Tall Poppy again. She is a New Yorker who now lives here and wants to start a business. She raised Tall Poppy in a tone that said ‘well, I hate to say it, but….’.
The funny thing about Tall Poppy syndrome is that it’s about what other people think. It’s out of your control, and frankly, it should have no impact on whether you can build a good business. Unless you let it.
Yes, if you rely on other people supporting you, which we all do, then it’s going to be harder if lots of them are saying “Just relax, why bother having big dreams, life’s good enough.”
But the people I work with, most of the people I meet, and I’m sure thousands more wouldn’t say that. They’d say “Great, go for it. You can do it. I’d love to help if I can.”
Which is the bigger group? Does it matter? I don’t think it does. As long as the TPSG (Tall Poppy Support Group) is big enough for us to build some momentum and build our businesses. We don’t have to wait for the other group, the TPCG (Tall Poppy Cutting Group), to give us permission.
Here is my test to see whether you can forever forget about Tall Poppy and get on with the job;
- Are you proud of what you are building?
- Are you doing it with integrity?
If you answer yes to both questions, then never ever let Tall Poppy get in the way of doing what you love. (And go and read Fountain Head by Ayn Rand).
If you answer no to either of these questions then get out of the business and go get a job, preferably a long way from me.
Building a great business is challenging enough without having to worry about what other people think. Now (hopefully) you can delete that one off you lists.
Embrace the Rollercoaster!
Do you think the tall poppy syndrome is dropping in Oz as the entrep community grows?
I know that among the Aussie startuppers that I know, I’ve never seen the syndrome in action. The people I know are supportive and always willing to lend a hand or ear.