Have you ever felt penalised for your success? Dr. Grace Lordan dives into the murky waters of workplace envy and exclusion with her exploration of Tall Poppy Syndrome. Tall Poppy Syndrome, a cultural phenomenon, manifests in various ways, from downplaying achievements to engaging in negative talk. Discover the hidden dynamics that lead to high-achievers being cut down by their peers, and learn from international experts how this phenomenon affects productivity, innovation, and personal well-being. Whether you're climbing the corporate ladder or just starting out, this episode is a must-listen for anyone who wants to navigate the complexities of success and the backlash it can bring.
Work FORCE is a podcast hosted by Dr Grace Lordan (www.gracelordan.com), author of Think Big, Take Small Steps and Build the Future You Want and professor at the London School of Economics. You can buy Think Big Here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Think-Big-Small-Steps-Future/dp/0241420164/kacey123-21
Work FORCE unravels the behavioural science behind things that happen in the workplace that impact your success and wellbeing, blending academic evidence with real life experiences.
Joining the Work FORCE discussion are:
Dr. Mathew Marques
Dr Marques received his PhD in Social Psychology from Swinburne University of Technology, Australia, investigating the role of anti-intellectualism and the tall poppy syndrome in attitudes towards high achievers. Mathew uses social psychology to understand the role of psychological mechanisms (e.g., trust, conspiracy theories) in the formation of attitudes towards socially contentious scientific research (e.g., genetically modified foods, and vaccinations). He is also interested in and researches the tall poppy syndrome, examining the effects of differing ideologies, status and factors such as deservingness on attitudes towards tall poppies and underdogs.
Find out more about Dr. Marques and his work on his website here: https://www.mdmarques.com
Rumeet Bilan
Dr. Rumeet Billan is an award-winning, internationally recognised entrepreneur, learning architect, and humanitarian. Her mission is to transform workplace cultures through research, training, and experiences that enable trust, foster belonging, and build resilience. Dr. Billan is the CEO and Owner of Women of Influence and President and CEO of Viewpoint Leadership. She completed her PhD at the University of Toronto and has designed and facilitated programs, courses, and training sessions across industries and sectors. She led the groundbreaking research study on Tall Poppy Syndrome which reveals the impact of the silent systemic syndrome on women in the workplace and co-led the Canadian Happiness at Work study in partnership with the Canadian Mental Health Association. Dr. Billan was named a Top 10 Power Women in 2020 and has been twice named one of Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women.
Learn more at www.rumeet.com
Kay Xander Mellish
Kay is a writer, podcaster, and keynote speaker who grew up in the USA and has lived in Denmark for more than 10 years. She has been on staff at large Danish companies including Danske Bank and Carlsberg and now runs KXMGroup, a thought leader on Danish working culture and the internationalisation of the Danish workplace, and How to Live in Denmark, which helps newcomers understand Danish culture.
A native of Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, Kay attended New York University in Manhattan, where she graduated cum laude with a degree in journalism and art history. She worked as a journalist in Berlin, Germany and Hong Kong before returning to Manhattan and working in the media industry at Dow Jones/the Wall Street Journal, CNN, and ABCnews.com before moving to Denmark.
Find our more about Kay and her work at https://www.kxmgroup.dk/
For additional bonus content from all of this episode’s guest conversations visit the Work FORCE YouTube channel: @ProfGraceLordan
Dr Grace Lordan is the Founding Director of The Inclusion Initiative. Find out more about The Inclusion Initiative on @LSE_TII or visit https://www.lse.ac.uk/tii
Follow Grace on X or Instagram @profgracelordan; on LinkedIn drgracelordan
Dr Grace Lordan is leader of www.diversirtyandproductivity.com
Work FORCE is produced by Decibelle Creative: @decibelle_creative / www.decibellecreative.com
