Is there such a thing as being too ambitious…

Being a Black woman I’ve heard that more than a few times in my career and sometimes the weight of being labeled “too ambitious” is a heavy one. However, I’m happy to carry it. Many women including myself work overtime to strike the right accord when it comes to ambition. However, the world doesn’t seem to have a problem with the ambitions of men. They’re celebrated and rewarded with frequent promotions, higher pay with titles to match. Even when their level of experience pales in comparison to their female counterparts, men are still groomed for success it seems.

For women wanting success and verbalizing it in corporate America it’s often a slippery slope. You can be seen as being too aggressive, too bossy, or too angry.

You won’t find a successful Black woman who has not been called “angry”(including myself) at some point, simply for voicing her concern or asking a question. For women who’ve experienced being “too” much I say

Don’t diminish your voice

Always ask for more

Be fearless

We all know the only way we as women can achieve true gender and pay equality is to keep challenging what it means to be “too ambitious.”
“There is no limit to what we as women can accomplish.”

So I ask, Can a woman be too ambitious?