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<\/p>\nIn the business world, ambition is a desirable trait that includes self-belief, drive, and persistence. Yet, for many women, being ambitious can feel like a mixed blessing. Dogged, strong-willed, relentless, stubborn, wilful, and my personal favourite, high-maintenance. These are all words that have been used to describe me in the world of work. None of them are particularly positive, you\u2019ll agree. In my career, people frequently describe me as ‘difficult’, whereas a male counterpart acting similarly receives praise for his focus and determination. Or simply ambitious. Has it stopped me? No. But for other women, it too often holds them back. In this blog, I want to investigate an important question: is ambition a dirty word for women in business?<\/p>\n
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Despite strides towards workplace gender equality, and there have been many, ambitious women can still to this day be viewed negatively, leading to a complex working dynamic. In this blog, I\u2019ll explore the question: Is ambition a dirty word for women in business? I’ll also explain why it shouldn\u2019t be and how to tackle this phenomenon.<\/p>\n
This will cover:<\/p>\n
Good news. Women\u2019s representation in the C-Suite is higher than it has ever been. Bad news. Still, only one in ten of the UK’s top businesses have a woman as chief executive.<\/p>\n
https:\/\/www.economicsobservatory.com\/why-are-there-so-few-women-leading-the-uks-biggest-companies<\/a><\/p>\n Although it is not widening, the gender pay gap remains. According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), median hourly pay for full-time employees was 7.7% less for women than for men in April 2023. Alarmingly, women also made up the majority of those promoted without salary increases. https:\/\/thefutureofwork.pro\/survey-reveals-insights-into-professional-womens-landscape-on-iwd-2024\/<\/a><\/p>\n In colleges too, business courses, mechanics, and computer sciences are all still skewed towards males. Nursing, health and social care, so-called \u2018softer subjects\u2019 are undeniably skewed towards female participation. Compare salaries in these career paths and do the maths.<\/p>\n According to the House of Commons Library, \u201cWomen are much more likely to go to university than men\u00a0and have been for many years. They are also more likely to complete their studies and gain a first or upper-second-class degree. However, after graduation, men are more likely to be in ‘highly skilled’ employment. \u201cWhat happens to these bright, ambitious females as they enter the workplace?<\/p>\n https:\/\/commonslibrary.parliament.uk\/research-briefings\/cbp-9195\/#:~:text=and%20educational%20outcomes-,Gender,further%20study%20just%20after%20graduation<\/a>.<\/p>\n What all of this represents is that yes, we\u2019re gaining traction but there is still a lot of work to be done. And one of those is changing attitudes towards confident, ambitious women.<\/p>\n >>>BACK TO TOP<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Women often face a double standard around ambition. While assertiveness and drive are celebrated in men, they\u2019re often seen as unlikable in women. From the outset, women must balance their desire to succeed with the societal expectation that they are kind and agreeable.<\/p>\n In my research for this blog, I found countless articles on the subject written by successful, ambitious women. Entrepreneur Liz Elter writes in Forbes:<\/p>\n Women are not actually supposed to be ambitious. We\u2019re supposed to accept our place, take up as little space as possible, be thankful for what little room we\u2019re allowed, and absolutely never make waves lest we be perceived as difficult.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n You can read her full article here, which documents the obstacles and attitudes she overcame in her rise to success, assuming tea-making and note-taking were but a few: https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/sites\/lizelting\/2017\/04\/24\/the-high-cost-of-ambition-why-women-are-held-back-for-thinking-big\/<\/a><\/p>\n There is still an expectation that women are there to support men in some way. Sadly, in 2024, we are still treated differently in the workplace and frowned upon for speaking out or acting with characteristics not deemed appropriate for a woman.<\/p>\n I, and many other women before and after me, chose to exit the traditional workplace and set up our own businesses where women could thrive. My reasons were slightly different yet still gender biased \u2013 childcare and the need for flexibility to suit my family\u2019s lifestyle. It worked out well for both of us, yet not without hurdles, including societal attitudes towards ambitious women.<\/p>\n So, in asking \u2018is ambition a dirty word for women in business, Elter sums it up perfectly:<\/p>\n Women are supposed to be helpful, pliant, comforting\u2014but never ambitious.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n >>>BACK TO TOP<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n When they go it alone and start their own company, ambitious women often fear backlash for stepping outside traditional roles. Societal expectations have historically placed starting a family and caring for loved ones on women, putting home life ahead of career ambitions.\u00a0 For me, starting my business was also a way to show my daughters that hard work reaps rewards.<\/p>\n Kamala Harris recently came under fire for NOT starting a family. Labelled as an \u2018outsider,\u2019 an eccentric, a childless cat lady\u2019 because she doesn\u2019t have children and because she dares to show her ambition on the global stage. https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/life-style\/health-and-families\/jd-vance-kamala-harris-childless-response-b2585324.html<\/a><\/p>\n Expectations around children and careers can create internal conflict for ambitious women, who may feel pressured to downplay their career goals. Women who pursue their ambitions are sometimes thought of as aggressive, not assertive; self-serving, not self-confident – labels rarely applied to their male counterparts.<\/u>\u00a0The fear that arises from this can lead many women to hesitate in expressing their ambitions, limiting their career growth and reinforcing gender stereotypes. Or worse, you try to do it all! Entrepreneur and Dragon Sara Davies<\/a> talks on my podcast, Events That Made ME, about her career and how she balances a multi-million-pound business and the school run!<\/p>\n >>>BACK TO TOP<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Sadly, it is not just men who uphold this viewpoint. All too often, women will view ambitious females through a similar lens, either through fear, misinterpretation, or societal conditioning. Another Forbes article by Kathy Caprino outlines:<\/p>\n There is indeed a great deal of unconscious gender bias with regard to how society views strong, authoritative women. Often, women are punished by our society and in their roles in leadership and management for speaking in confident ways. And they are perceived far more negatively than men for communicating in the same forceful way and manner as men do.\u00a0This unconscious bias against women exists in both men and women.<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Come on, ladies – let’s change this.<\/p>\n >>>BACK TO TOP<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n If we\u2019re ever to move forward, women must embrace their ambition and redefine what it means. We should regard ambition as a positive trait that drives success and innovation. Women can be both ambitious and compassionate, strong leaders and supportive team players or family figureheads. Loving, caring, yet assertive and strong-minded.<\/p>\n We should not feel guilt about pursuing a successful career path.<\/p>\n Embracing ambition can inspire others and pave the way for future generations of women in business.<\/p>\n >>>BACK TO TOP<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n To answer the question, is ambition a dirty word for women in business, we need to change the narrative around women and ambition. Workplaces must foster environments that support and celebrate ambitious women. This includes awareness of how we talk about ambitious women in the workplace.<\/p>\n I challenge everyone to catch themselves during the next coffee machine chat and examine whether they balance their attitudes toward women and men in the workplace. Do you use the same words to describe your male and female colleagues?<\/p>\n Perhaps you do. Perhaps you don\u2019t. What matters is awareness, and it starts with self-awareness.<\/p>\n If you do detect a change in how you describe your colleagues, perhaps it\u2019s time to change the narrative. Try substituting the word \u2018pushy\u2019 with the word \u2018assertive\u2019. \u2018High maintenance\u2019 with \u2018highly motivated\u2019. And so on\u2026<\/p>\n Some other ways to change attitudes could be:<\/p>\nTHE DOUBLE STANDARD<\/strong><\/h3>\n
STEPPING OUTSIDE THE ‘TRADITIONAL’ ROLE<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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<\/p>\nOUR OWN WORST ENEMY?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
EMBRACING AMBITION<\/strong><\/h3>\n
WORDS MATTER – CHANGE THE NARRATIVE<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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