What is the ‘big fish in a small pond’ effect?

Is it better for success to join a large company and surround yourself with talented colleagues, or is it better to opt for a smaller organization where an individual’s talent will stand out more due to a lack of competition?

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This is the so-called Big Fish Little Pond effect, which British scientists have researched using the example of selective schooling, where children are placed in better/worse schools depending on the abilities demonstrated during their previous success.

It would be expected that setting high goals inspires brighter children to care more about their education, but people are jealous creatures with an ugly habit of comparing themselves to others, writes BBC. This means that a child from whom much is expected, surrounded by other ambitious children, will have a lack of confidence regarding their potential compared to a child who was not surrounded by diligent overachievers. Thus, instead of an ambitious environment positively affecting the ego, prestigious schools can actually achieve a counter-effect, making the child feel stupid, suppressing motivation, and reducing chances for success.

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A similar example can be seen in football teams where it has been shown that removing the greatest talent has a positive effect on the entire team, as other players are more motivated when they get the chance to practice their game instead of sitting on the bench.

Additionally, individuals raised in small communities strive for success more than those raised in a city.

Although there are no similar studies in different professions and workplaces, researchers believe that the ‘big fish in a small pond’ effect is also evident in highly competitive sectors such as business consulting, where the best get better clients and better opportunities, while the mediocre have very little chance of advancement.

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The conclusion is that an ambitious start, such as an internship at a large company, can be a good first step in a career, but in the long run, it is better to be in a ‘small pond’ as it provides more opportunities for acquiring knowledge and skills.