Ambition has become a taboo word for women. Bogged down by negative societal and gendered associations, the message is loud and clear. If you’re an ambitious woman, you are:
Selfish.
Greedy.
Sneaky.
Arrogant.
Audacious.
Delusional.
Shameful.
Guilt-ridden.
Unfeminine.
Self-absorbed.
Corporate climber.
That person. 🙄
Indeed, ambition has long been an admired destiny (or desire) reserved exclusively for men. Few women dare to proclaim their ambition.
Too much ambition and women are judged for being overly aggressive. 😤
Too little ambition and women are pitied for wasting their lives and potential. 😕💯
Earlier this year, during my 💯 Days of Women coaching campaign, I spoke with 100 professional women, and nearly 30% of those between the ages of 25 and 44 said they downplay or shy away from their ambition because of what others might think or say about them.
Imagine how much talent is unrealized if women don’t openly embrace their ambition and aren’t encouraged to do so! 🤯
Most women I encounter – whether through hiring, teaching, coaching, or networking – want a successful career and a personal life. They don’t want to sacrifice one for the other. They want to be challenged, work hard, keep growing, advance, be fairly rewarded, and make a meaningful contribution. In short, they have ambition. The degree of their ambition varies, as well as the pace or timing for pursuing it. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach, which makes each woman’s journey unique and worthy of respect. 🙌
I believe it’s time for women to reclaim and redefine the word ‘AMBITION.’ Let’s remove the gender lens, dispense with the negative BS we’ve been sold, and, instead, embrace the potential of what ambition can mean for all of us – power, possibilities, impact and financial rewards. It’s an empowering term that should no longer be reserved for men.
The Cambridge Dictionary defines ambition as “a strong desire for success, fame, power, or wealth.” 🏆
This definition rings hollow because it’s somewhat superficial and incomplete. Based on my personal experience and the thousands of women I’ve spoken to in my career, the definition overlooks three critical dimensions of ambition:
Commitment. The need for a sustained commitment, not merely a strong desire.
Impact. The significance of impacting the lives of colleagues, customers, family, or community.
Fulfillment. The sense of satisfaction one feels making a sustained commitment and having an impact
I propose a new definition. One that is simple, inclusive, and nuanced—to reflect the ideals and unlock the suppressed talent of women across the globe. This subtle approach is crucial to understanding and appreciating the diverse forms of female ambitions.
Ambition is a strong, sustained desire to pursue success, impact, and fulfillment.
What could this new definition accomplish?
✅ Remove the gendered stigma and invite women to think more expansively about their ambitions.
✅ Encourage more women to embrace and pursue their ambitions without worrying about being judged.
✅ Educate society that the world needs more voices and leadership from women to shape and influence a better world for all.
If you are eager to think more expansively about your ambition, it starts on the inside. Reflect on these questions to unearth some clues:
- What values are important to you that guide your choices?
- What problems in the world do you want to solve?
- What impact do you want to have on others?
- What strengths, skills, or talents can you contribute?
- How would you describe a fulfilling life?
At Equipt Women, we help professional women explore these questions and many others through our cohort-based courses, coaching, and free tools. If you’re interested in learning more about our 2025 programs, we’d love to hear from you.
Here’s to every woman pursuing her unique ambition with clarity, confidence, and conviction. 🌟
That seems like a pretty awesome world to live in. I’d love to hear your definition of ambition. Send me your thoughts!
You are equipt to embrace your ambition.
