Ambition – A Bad Word?

Ambition: for men, it’s seen as an asset at work. For women, they’re often labeled as “aggressive” or “bitchy,” so it’s no surprise 62 percent of men under 30 consider themselves ambitious while only 47 percent of women do.

How can women reclaim their ambition?

“For centuries, ambition had a bad reputation – it was associated with greed and social climbing,” Ellie Rubin, author of Ambition – 7 Rules For Getting There, tells PINK.

Experts say some women feel ambition implies selfishness. But reclaiming ambition is a key step in career success, says Rubin. She adds that ambition is the engine which drives our companies and ourselves. “The key is to see [reclaiming one’s ambition] as a catalyst for propelling your desires and goals into action.”

What are the steps? “Embracing risk, recognizing what needs to be sacrificed and building stamina,” says Rubin. “Find ways to give yourself time to take pauses in between the action and high-stress obligations that may be part of your career development, an existing job or finding new work.”

Ambition often involves risk-taking – whether it’s negotiating for a better salary, a higher position or heading up that important project. Rubin found that those who step outside of their comfort zone find the reward outweighs the risk.

Not only that, “Participating in a race but never making it to the finish line just doesn’t cut it when it comes to ambition,” says Rubin.

Bonus PINK Link: Before you have ambition, you need purpose. Here’s how to find yours.

Minute Mentor: Women for Hire CEO (and Atlanta Spring Into Ownership event keynote) Tory Johnson explains how to ask for what you want.

Take our poll and on ambition.

By Brittani Banks

“The most common way people give up their
power is by thinking they don’t have any.” Alice Walker