Lacking Ambition? Maybe Less Than You Think...
17 March 2015
Read by 2662 persons
Ambition is often reduced to the image of a young, ambitious person. However, it can take less visible forms at first glance.
"Ambition is not just about wanting to get a managerial position," explains Nicole Vachon, Associate Vice President of Talent and Development at IC Formation, a firm that offers coaching and training services. "It can simply be about succeeding in a small project or being helpful to others through one's work."
Having Ambition Without Being Ambitious
For the one who is also a coach, it is important to distinguish ambition from being ambitious. "This formulation is negatively connoted and refers to people who want to progress at the expense of others, while having ambition simply means wanting to succeed," she specifies. "And I believe that this success can be collective, and not only individual."
Since success has a different meaning for different people, ambition takes varied but equally valid forms. "A person may seem to lack ambition, while in reality they manifest it differently," emphasizes Ms. Vachon. "Wanting to succeed professionally without sacrificing one's personal and social life can be a form of ambition." As a result, many ambitious people are unaware of it.
Everything is in Moderation
Wanting to succeed is not enough to achieve it. To realize one's ambitions, one must set goals. "Otherwise, it remains an aspiration," warns Ms. Vachon.
Realizing one's ambitions involves a willingness to surpass oneself and step outside one's comfort zone. It is thus a powerful engine for one's career and life in general. "Ambition pulls us forward," indicates Ms. Vachon. "There is also a ripple effect that also pushes others to go further." For the coach, this dimension of self-improvement is important to highlight, because while most people want to succeed, not all have the necessary energy.
To illustrate that ambition can be very healthy, Ms. Vachon cites the example of the A Effect. Launched at the beginning of the year by Isabelle Hudon, President of Sun Life Financial, this project aims to stimulate women's ambition, but can also inspire men. It consists of asking five experienced female leaders to choose a challenge and meet it in 100 days. Their progress is reported on the website www.effet-a.com.
Among the actions to be carried out are organizing a walk for the benefit of itinerant women by Sophie Brochu, President of Gaz Metro, or helping the women of the Montreal Women's Centre to acquire technological skills to reintegrate the job market by Marie-Josée Lamothe, General Manager, Brand Strategist at Google Canada. "It's an interesting initiative because it doesn't place ambition in the perspective of winning at the expense of others," estimates Ms. Vachon. "And then, to realize their ambition, they have a specific objective to fulfill."
And if it can inspire others, why not!
Fanny Bourel.
Workopolis.com
Published March 3, 2015.
Posted online March 17, 2015.
"Ambition is not just about wanting to get a managerial position," explains Nicole Vachon, Associate Vice President of Talent and Development at IC Formation, a firm that offers coaching and training services. "It can simply be about succeeding in a small project or being helpful to others through one's work."
Having Ambition Without Being Ambitious
For the one who is also a coach, it is important to distinguish ambition from being ambitious. "This formulation is negatively connoted and refers to people who want to progress at the expense of others, while having ambition simply means wanting to succeed," she specifies. "And I believe that this success can be collective, and not only individual."
Since success has a different meaning for different people, ambition takes varied but equally valid forms. "A person may seem to lack ambition, while in reality they manifest it differently," emphasizes Ms. Vachon. "Wanting to succeed professionally without sacrificing one's personal and social life can be a form of ambition." As a result, many ambitious people are unaware of it.
Everything is in Moderation
Wanting to succeed is not enough to achieve it. To realize one's ambitions, one must set goals. "Otherwise, it remains an aspiration," warns Ms. Vachon.
Realizing one's ambitions involves a willingness to surpass oneself and step outside one's comfort zone. It is thus a powerful engine for one's career and life in general. "Ambition pulls us forward," indicates Ms. Vachon. "There is also a ripple effect that also pushes others to go further." For the coach, this dimension of self-improvement is important to highlight, because while most people want to succeed, not all have the necessary energy.
To illustrate that ambition can be very healthy, Ms. Vachon cites the example of the A Effect. Launched at the beginning of the year by Isabelle Hudon, President of Sun Life Financial, this project aims to stimulate women's ambition, but can also inspire men. It consists of asking five experienced female leaders to choose a challenge and meet it in 100 days. Their progress is reported on the website www.effet-a.com.
Among the actions to be carried out are organizing a walk for the benefit of itinerant women by Sophie Brochu, President of Gaz Metro, or helping the women of the Montreal Women's Centre to acquire technological skills to reintegrate the job market by Marie-Josée Lamothe, General Manager, Brand Strategist at Google Canada. "It's an interesting initiative because it doesn't place ambition in the perspective of winning at the expense of others," estimates Ms. Vachon. "And then, to realize their ambition, they have a specific objective to fulfill."
And if it can inspire others, why not!
Fanny Bourel.
Workopolis.com
Published March 3, 2015.
Posted online March 17, 2015.
