Procrustes syndrome or the rejection of those we perceive as better than us

Procrustes syndrome refers to those people who look down on those who surpass them in talent and abilities.. Even more, they do not hesitate to discriminate against them and even harass them. They are people who neither advance nor allow themselves to advance, frustrated profiles or with very exaggerated self-esteem that inhabit many of the environments in which we move.

It is very possible that at this very moment more than one name, more than one person, comes to mind for many of us. It should also be said that this cartoon – with too many overtones of reality, unfortunately – has inspired, as expected, multiple literary and cinematographic plots. It is, so to speak, the classic antagonist that we find in every academic, work and even family setting. and that goes far beyond what we usually know as “climbing”.

Likewise, it is interesting to know that although Procrustes syndrome is not present in any diagnostic manual nor does it have any clinical entity, It perfectly captures what psychologists know as “nudge behavior.”. That is, getting rid of the brightest in a hostile way and boycotting the most prepared out of simple intolerance and pure selfishness. Because for them, there can be nothing worse than being surpassed by others in some aspect, no matter how small.

The myth of Procrustes

Although the myth of Procrustes is not well known, it can be said that it is undoubtedly one of the darkest and most terrible. Greek mythology tells that This character was an innkeeper who ran a tavern in the high hills of Attica. There, it also offered accommodation to travelers. However, under those beards and under those friendly roofs that invited rest and comfort, a macabre secret was hidden.

Procrustes had a bed where he invited travelers to lie down. At night, when they were sleeping, he took the opportunity to gag and tie them. If the victim was taller and his feet, hands or head came out of the bed, he proceeded to cut them off.. If the person was shorter, he would break their bones to adjust the measurements.

This dark character He carried out his macabre actions for years until a very special man arrived at his inn: Theseus. As we already know, this hero gained fame for having faced the Minotaur of the Island of Crete and for later becoming the king of Athens. It is said that when Theseus discovered what that sadistic being carried out at night, he decided to apply to Procrustes the same punishment that he applied to all of his victims.

How do people with Procrustes syndrome act?

It is undoubtedly clear that in our daily lives no one applies the violence of the Procrustes of the Greek myth, but we do apply that covert aggressiveness that we so often see in the sphere of sport, politics or the business world. In fact, something we all know is that Those who occupy the most important positions in an organization are not always the most qualified or the best prepared..

This means that as soon as someone brilliant appears, someone proactive, creative and capable of surpassing them in more than one aspect, they do not hesitate to apply a thousand stratagems and dastardly tricks to annul them, humiliate them and corner them in the corner of indifference where they stop being “a risk”. A threat capable of collapsing their little world of incompetence and vulgarity.

Characteristics of people with Procrustes syndrome

They are profiles that live in the midst of continuous frustration and have a poor sense of control.They may have very low self-esteem or, on the contrary, exaggerated or disproportionate. They are very emotionally sensitive: any situation where they are exposed to the abilities or successes of others, they will assume as a serious affront. Likewise, they tend to “sell” us the idea that they are very empathetic, that they value teamwork… However, What lies behind his words is authentic egocentrism and rigid and tremendously hostile thinking.They monopolize all the tasks. Their level of competitiveness has only one objective: to stand out from others. They fear change, something undoubtedly very common in companies governed by traditional and non-proactive leaders who see any small change as a big threat. They also make irrational attributions. If, for example, we carry out an action that could benefit the company, they will see it as a mistake, as naivety and as an idea of ​​zero value.

Last but not least, it should also be said that They do not hesitate to manipulate others or use their complicity to “finish” those who stand out the most.

We must get out of the cages built by people with Procrustes Syndrome

When we have complicated people around us, people characterized by certain disorders, behaviors or behaviors that we consider harmful, we almost always propose that you “learn first to understand them and later to manage them.”

In this case, and When we talk about profiles that execute the most toxic and threatening level of Procrustes Syndrome, it is best to distance ourselves.. We cannot forget that talent does not harmonize with threat or with the most rigid and harmful power.

“Elbow behavior” goes far beyond simple competition. When it turns into an attack, when we have a manager or even a family member who constantly boycotts us to humiliate and nullify us, it is necessary to take the initiative and close that door. At the same time, it is then when it is advisable to take a step to look for scenarios where we can expand to the maximum, according to our talents.

It is also worth remembering that, although there is no shortage of Procrustes in our daily lives, we should never bow down to them. We were all born to stand out in some aspect, let’s enhance that ability and find the most ideal context to take advantage of it in freedom.

You might be interested…