Power. Success. Leadership. Ambition.
These words often evoke positive images—until they're applied to women.
Then, they become controversial.
Welcome to the world where ambition in women is a "dirty word."
The persistent stigma around women and ambition forces me to speak out. While I may not be a sociologist, I am deeply engaged in these conversations. I've led workshops, written extensively, and advised numerous top leaders on fostering inclusive workplaces. I understand the landscape and have spoken with countless professionals and leaders who share this struggle.
The Double Standard
Ambition in men is celebrated. It's seen as a sign of potential and drive. But for women, ambition often comes with negative labels—aggressive, bossy, unlikable. Why is there such a disparity?
Women in the Workplace - Perceptions
Ambitious women face a double-bind: they must be ambitious to succeed but are penalized for showing it. This creates a no-win situation, stifling potential and perpetuating inequality.
Research shows that ambitious women experience more workplace backlash than men. They're often described negatively and overlooked for leadership roles.
"when women display leadership behaviors we consider normative in men, we see them as unfeminine. When women act more feminine, we don’t see them as leaders." Sarah Green Carmichael
Challenging the Narrative
We must challenge and change how we view ambition in women. Ambition should be seen as a positive force for everyone.
We need to redefine ambition for women. It should be viewed as a desire to achieve, innovate, and lead. Ambition is about setting high goals and working tirelessly to reach them. It can benefit the individual, the team, the organization, and even society at large!
Personal Reflections
Many women hesitate to express their ambitions, fearing judgment or backlash. But we must encourage women to embrace their aspirations without apology. And if we do see backlash, we need to be intentional about voicing our protests. Collectively.
Sharing Personal Stories
Sharing success stories of ambitious women can inspire others. Seeing women who have overcome similar challenges and achieved success can boost confidence and determination.
The Cost of Silence
Staying silent perpetuates the stigma. By openly discussing and advocating for ambitious women, we can shift societal norms and expectations.
A young professional I coached had a clear vision: she wanted to lead the marketing department of her start-up company. However, she was plagued by the fear of being seen as overbearing or too ambitious, concerns that are all too common among women in the workplace.
This fear was holding her back from fully expressing her goals and advocating for herself.
We began working together to craft a narrative that highlighted her aspirations in a positive light. Instead of focusing solely on her ambitions, we framed her goals in terms of the value she could bring to the company. We emphasized her leadership skills, her ability to drive results and manage teams, and her strategic vision for the company's product portfolio.
By doing so, we painted a picture of a dedicated and capable leader whose ambition was for the growth (and betterment!) of the entire organization.
Conclusion
Ambition is not a bad word. It's a actually a force that propels individuals and organizations forward. We must stop viewing ambition in women negatively.
We have to acknowledge that while the glass ceiling may be disappearing, there are a thousand glass cuts of gender biases that women who want to get ahead still face. We cannot continue to ignore these double binds in the workplace.
Working together and fixing these is a mandate we must all accept!
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