Posted by We don’t talk often about ambition. It is often perceived negatively, if not carefully used. Especially as women. Myself, I have not considered myself to be ambitious over my career, but indeed is that true? In the last couple of weeks, I was part of a few different moments where the key word was ambition and it left me thinking. Why does it get a bad reputation?
Ambition
The original Latin word originates from “ambire“, meaning “to go around” or “to canvass for votes”. Initially, it referred to the act of going around soliciting support or votes, often done by Roman politicians but, over time, it took on a negative connotation, implying excessive political manoeuvring or an overreaching desire for power. In the Middle Ages, the word entered English as “ambition”, meaning “desire for power, honour, or distinction”. Looking at the evolution of its meaning, I was surprised to find the word evolved between a positive and a negative connotation. It was a self-serving trait in Ancient Rome, but during Renaissance, it became more socially acceptable and associated with personal drive and achievement. By the 19th and 20th centuries, it took a mostly positive meaning, denoting aspiration, determination, and a drive for success.
So why does it still feel a bit funny these days, especially if you are talking about women?
A 2023 study titled “The Tallest Poppy” revealed that nearly 90% of ambitious women globally experience penalties at work, including social isolation, disparagement of their achievements, and outright discrimination.
So it is ok to be ambitious or not?
Dream to succeed
Recently, I attended a talk by Kelly Choi, a successful entrepreneur and Founder of Sushi Delli and Kelly Loves, who came to tell her story to the Cascais International Women in Business Network. Starting from humble beginnings, Kelly’s story is one of perseverance and no doubt a huge amount of ambition. She went through multiple reinventions from fashion to the sushi ‘empire’ she has today. As she shared her life lessons, one caught my attention:
‘Dream big. People will want to work with someone who aims high, to be part of something big.’
We see often the outcome of visionaries but we are generally not there at the beginning, when they have but an idea. It is hard to speak with the benefit of hindsight, but what distinguishes some entrepreneurs from others? I would argue ambition and the ability to dream is a key factor, despite the dangers that come with the dream being an illusion. I guess it would be the ability to dream while also being realistic in your execution.
Dare to change
Ambition is not only the remit of entrepreneurs. In a recent dinner with a presidential candidate for Portugal, I was particularly taken by his vision for what needs to change. Ambition was one of his key factors. I know we always need to discount political speeches, but this one felt more like a vision than a campaign if I am honest. In a day when the government had just fallen amidst ethical concerns and a lack of ability to build bridges between minority partners, he could have just focused on that. However, he chose to also speak about ambition.
I could not resist questioning him. Ambition is a mentality, and in a country where it is likely perceived with an even more negative connotation than general, how do you create ambition? It’s not like you just pass a law and it is implemented!
Indeed a million-dollar question, he conceded. It is a cultural shift. But just because it is difficult, it does not mean we do not try it. He reminded me that ambition is not only about growing or building something big.
Ambition is also about wanting and believing things can change and be different.
I wonder how many generations it takes for the mentalities to shift? And how can government influence it, if at all?
The corporate blueprint
In the corporate world where I come from, ambition is about neither of these examples. Maybe that is why they stuck with me.
‘What does ambition look like? When we ask our clients about their ambition, they say they strive to set and achieve challenging goals, exceed their own and others’ expectations, and pursue leadership roles that connect them to the power and resources to drive change.’ – HBR
In my prior construct of life, ambition was about staying on a (steep) path, eyes on target. Analyst, associate, VP, ED, MD. That’s when you achieve something. Specialist, head of product, head of country, head of region, head of group. The path was mostly clear and you had to keep pace. Keep your eyes on the ball. And don’t deviate from the written (expected) course.
Maybe that is why I did not call myself ambitious. My focus was on working in a job that interested me, where I could learn, surrounded by people I enjoyed and I knew I could make a difference. I made parallel moves that slowed and shifted the path, I returned titles when it did not suit my needs – professionally and personally. With that, I was less ambitious than others.
So, is ambition good or bad?
I believe the jury is still out, as it depends on your gender, race, cultural environment and even your industry. For entrepreneurs, ambition is perceived as a positive force, a necessary trait that ensures the drive to achieve and build something new and big. In a corporation, ambition is the path to the top, but is often a double-edged sword – a choice between climbing the ranks in a single path or having a personal life. In politics, ambition is traditionally associated with greed and power grabs around the world daily make it hard to dissociate from this concept. What about countries? Ambition (or lack thereof) is at the core of starts and stops and some often uninspiring outcomes.
Overall, ambition is more of a tool rather than an outcome. So the impact will depend on how it is channelled, by whom and to what end.
Redefining ambition
I am not sure that my definition of ambition ever included dreaming or looking for change. If that is what ambition entails, then maybe I can also call myself ambitious. I have always had a belief in my ability to change and adapt, and in the power of one to change the environment around us. Admittedly, I have not always dreamt big. It is scary to dream big when you are a recovering perfectionist. The danger of failing is higher, and the fear of disappointment even more. But after these talks, maybe I need to reframe my own definition of ambition, starting inside my own mind.
Ambition is the fire that makes me act differently from the norm as I redesign my life with the belief I will succeed.
Success will translate into joy, meaning and no doubt, financial returns. And that drives me to push just one bit harder every day.