Cultural Reflections: The Tall Poppy Syndrome and Success

Date: August 30, 2024 Guest Skeptic: Dr. Mel Herbert is a famous Emergency Medicine Physician, award-winning educator, entrepreneur and philanthropist.  Mel founded both EM:RAP which creates and distributes Emergency Medicine education in over 160 countries. He also started a non-profit company called EM:RAP GO. This is an SGEM Xtra to end Season#12. I chatted with Mel about his new book, "The Extraordinary Power of Being Average”. He claims he is average and that realization has been key to his success. It is his secret sauce and superpower that you too can tap into.  I've read the book multiple times and listened to the audio version which Mel narrates. It moved me to tears several times. I think this should be a fundamental read for physicians and other healthcare workers. I bought every copy available on Amazon and have given it to friends and students. We discussed the similarities of our backgrounds and how the book resonated with me. Mel grew up in the Australian outback and I grew up on an apple farm in Canada. We both struggled through school until a teacher recognized our potential and gave us an opportunity. The topic of Tall Poppy Syndrome came up during our chat. This has been defined as "the fact that people do not like and often criticize other people who are successful" (Cambridge Dictionary). This syndrome is not unique to Australia and has been described in other countries (Japan, Chile and Scandinavia). Mel also discusses how putting other average people together in a team can do extraordinary things. This is true especially when you add the "G-Factor". You need to listen to the podcast to find out what this means. During the podcast, we mentioned some of our mentors who are Legends of Emergency Medicine. This includes but is not limited to Dr. Jerry Hoffman, Dr. Rick Bukata and Dr. Andrew Worster. Mel and I are friends but I am also a skeptic and asked him if his book was a humblebrag. This can be defined as a "modest or self-deprecating statement whose actual purpose is to draw attention to something of which one is proud."  It was interesting to hear his response. WARNING: There may be some things discussed on the podcast or blog that could be upsetting.  If you are feeling upset by the content, then please stop listening to the podcast or reading the blog. There will be resources listed for those looking for assistance. The chat did go to some dark places. Mel was very open and transparent about the physical abuse he suffered, his mother's substance use disorder and his struggles with mental illness. He specifically discussed episodes of depression and suicidal ideation. If you are struggling there are various wellness resources and suicide telephone lines and websites. Physician Wellness Resources: Physician Health Program, ACEM Member Wellbeing, ACEP Wellness Section, CAEP Resident Wellness and EMRA Wellness Committee Suicide Telephone and Websites: Prevention Hotline 1-800-273-8255 (SAFE), USA Text HOME to 741741, Canada Text 686868, Suicide Prevention Life Line, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), Suicide Prevention Resource Center and AFSP for Professionals Mel and I are both in the third act of our career. People looking from the outside could get the impression that any success we have achieved has been a straight line from A to B. We need people to realize there are many false starts, "failures", stumbles and mistakes along the way. Residents especially need to hear about the zigs and zags in our lives that got us to where we are today. The SGEM has done some other Xtra episodes that you may enjoy until we start Season#13 next month. SGEM Xtra: Five Tips to Avoid Emergency Medicine Burnout SGEM Xtra: On the Edge of Burnout ACEM18 SGEM Xtra: Star Trek Made Me A Better Physician SGEM Xtra: Everybody Hurts, Sometime SGEM Xtra: Holding Out for a Hero – Lessons from The Dark Knight SGEM Xtra: Yeah,