Go Ahead, Be Ambitious: Let Your Goals Be Known!
If you’re one who tries to mask the fact that you’re ambitious, or squelches even the thought of it, you’re not alone. Many women I’ve worked with in my career coaching practice are hesitant to admit to the trait.
In a mock interview, during one coaching session, I asked a client (I’ll call her Dana) if she considered herself to be ambitious. From Dana’s reaction, you would have thought I’d used one of the more offensive words in the English language.
When I questioned the negative response, Dana explained that she associated the word ‘ambitious’ with the ‘run-over-your-colleague’ type of person who isn’t well liked in the office, and she wanted to distance herself from that label at all costs. Dana believed that any display of ambition would jeopardize her ability to maintain her professional decorum in her workplace.
Many think of ambition as a positive trait using words such as ‘go-getting’, ‘determined’, and ‘motivated’ to describe those who demonstrate it. However, others, including Dana, describe ambition as being ‘pushy’, ‘self-centered’ and even ‘ruthless’.
While ‘ambition’ may have been given a bad name by some, there are many women pursuing their careers with ambitious gusto and ‘playing well with others’ along the way.
Another ambition ‘roadblock’ for some of my clients is a fear of jealousy. A client, I’ll call Jenna, wanted to keep a low profile and avoid any possible negative attention for stepping out ahead of the pack and appearing too ambitious because she thought other colleagues would feel jealous.
My answer to Jenna and anyone else who hides out in the office ‘wings’ is this: worrying about what others think, and hiding your talent and ambition, is a sure way to keep you from moving ahead in your work and in life. When your boss asks about your career goals, or you’re out networking, have an answer that aims high. Sharing your goals can put you on the proverbial radar of those who can help make your new job or promotion a reality, whereas aiming low and acting too humbly can keep you stuck in a career rut.
It’s important that women get comfortable in their own ambitious skin and go for what they want in their working lives. If you’re feeling ambitious, embrace it. Work the positive end of the ambition spectrum – making sure to treat colleagues with fairness and respect along the way – and let your light shine. Ambition is the fuel that can propel you on to career success!
