Fascinating how so many people don’t want to “own” ambition – especially women. In her book “Lean In” Sheryl Sandberg claims that “professional ambition is expected of men but is optional – or worse, sometimes even a negative – for women”.
This has definitely been my experience in the corporate world. Men are called ambitious as a compliment and too many women are called ambitious to indicate aggression and it is given and received negatively.
It is not a dirty word – it is the behaviour that accompanies it that can lead to aggression or be perceived as negative. So use ambition when referring to the purpose in life you have created and your “ambition” to live a life of meaning in all aspects of your life and feel the difference in how the word comes out of your mouth – be ambitious for the relationship you want with your children, your husband or wife or other significant life partner.
It is a powerfully inspiring word so let’s use it that way.
