What makes me bring this up is the recirculating myth that women are less ambitious than men or that since the pandemic women have become less ambitious. These are absolutely not true and in the Women in the Workplace Report 2023 from LeanIn.Org and McKinsey & Company, this was comprehensively dispelled.

What you need to know

The report finds women are more ambitious than ever, with both 96% of women and men saying career is important to them. The prevailing culture we operate in celebrates men for being ambitious and penalises ambition in women. A prime example is women in the workplace being labelled bossy – I don’t know about you but that sets my teeth on edge.

And here’s the kicker; the definition of ambition is:

a strong wish to achieve something

How on earth can it be a negative to have a strong wish to achieve something? There should be no gender stereotype of ambition or stigma with being ambitious. For women it’s time to embrace their ambition and go after what they want.

So why does it matter?

In the words of Sheryl Sandberg “It’s really important for people to know that women are as ambitious as men, because the belief that they are not is undercutting our ability to invest. If you believe you are investing in training someone who’s on the path to being your next senior vice president, you invest and train them more.”

If you’re worried about appearing too driven or too ambitious because of the impact it might have on others perception of you; consider the cost on your goals and future if investment in others development is prioritised over yours.

Whilst your ambition is probably a little less megalomanic than wanting to take over the world, it’s no less worthy, whatever that is. If it’s a C-Suite role, a certain pay packet, an accolade or other achievement, your desire and ambition should be supported and respected irrespective of gender.

Embracing your ambition AND

Ambition is often misunderstood and unfairly judged, especially when it comes to women. Society has long perpetuated the notion that ambitious women are aggressive, selfish, and unlikable. This harmful stigma discourages many women from pursuing advancement and creates a culture of fear and self-doubt, leading women to downplay their ambitions in order to fit in.

Embracing our ambition starts with acknowledging our worth and refusing to let societal expectations hold us back. It means being unapologetic about our desires and proudly celebrating our achievements.

It’s about embracing the “AND”.

• • • It’s being ambitious AND caring deeply for the success of the people you work with.
    • It’s being ambitious AND collaborating for success
    • It’s being ambitious AND creating balance in your life and the space for your team to do the same.

Ambition does not mean stepping on others or sacrificing someone else for our own success – it never has. By role modelling what ambition looks like, women can start to get the investment they deserve and turn the tide on the stereotype.

It’s also time to start calling others out when the use ambition as an insult. Simply asking what someone means by the use of ambition and clueing them into the definition of ambition; and why it matters, can start to change the conversation.

Taking risks and pursuing opportunities means being unafraid to ask for and go after what you want. It involves stepping outside our comfort zones and pushing ourselves to achieve more than we ever thought possible.

Be unapologetically ambitious

Being unapologetically ambitious isn’t about being selfish or aggressive; it’s about recognising our potential and refusing to settle for less than we deserve. It’s about owning our ambition and not letting anyone or anything hold us back from achieving our goals.

By role modelling our ambition and all the vulnerability that comes with embracing this side of ourselves, we’re actively making the change we want to see in the world. If someone wants to cut you down, they’re going to find a way whether you want to lead a big life and career or not.

Putting it out there that we want something comes with risk and risk comes with self-doubt. This is a normal part of the journey of growing and taking on new opportunities. See my article on Imposter Moments for more on this.

By acknowledging our fears, we can work towards overcoming them and pushing ourselves toward our goals.

The power of unapologetic ambition in achieving success

Unapologetic ambition has the power to inspire others and create a more inclusive environment where everyone feels empowered to pursue their goals without apology.

It demonstrates the power of “AND” in redefining the way people think about ambition. It challenges societal norms and expectations, fostering an inclusive space for all.

Unapologetic ambition drives us toward success on our terms, pushing us outside comfort zones and achieving more than we thought possible. It inspires confidence in ourselves and others, creating a supportive environment where everyone feels empowered to pursue their goals without apology.

Most importantly women owning their ambition whilst being their whole and feminine selves, creates a pathway for other female leaders to do the same!

In conclusion, embracing ambition unapologetically is crucial for achieving success on our terms. By breaking free from the stigma, we create a more inclusive environment where everyone feels empowered to pursue their goals without fear of judgment or criticism. It’s time to challenge societal norms and embrace our ambitions without apology, inspiring confidence in ourselves and others.