professional success: The trap of successism

Like many other misplaced ‘isms’ in our society, such as racism, casteism, sexism and ageism, successism is an ill-perceived lens to view people as unequal. Successism excessively reveres visible achievement and success. We then consider success as the defining feature of one’s identity and subconsciously perceive successful people as superior and less successful ones somewhat lesser. Clearly, a dysfunctional way to relate to people.

While striving for excellence in any field is a worthy pursuit, it’s a real problem if the level of visible success becomes the primary yardstick to measure a person. The prevalent ‘winner takes all’ mentality, that generates disproportionate rewards for the few most successful, makes it worse. Consequently, the more successful individuals can become more egoistic and arrogant and those less so frustrated and depressed.

Like other isms, successism is a judgemental approach to relating to others and to ourselves. It reflects a narrow view towards humans by overvaluing only one aspect of their being. We disregard the reality that professional success does not automatically make a person kind, empathetic, loving, caring, generous, courageous, mindful, honest, happy or fulfilled. Or that professional success does not ensure optimal health, personal relationships or inner growth.

We need to recognise that all human beings are equal and that while people may experience different levels of professional success, it does not make them a greater or lesser person.