Ambition is not a dirty word.

As leaders and as women in a male-dominated space, we often struggle to articulate what it is we are working towards, or we have disempowering beliefs about what is possible for ourselves. We allow ourselves to be held back because we don’t want to be seen as ambitious and the negative conceptions that come with that.

But there’s only one way to get past this. We need more ambitious women to step up as leaders and break through the stigma to pave the way for more women to follow, and that’s what we’re talking about in today’s episode.

The Stigma of Ambitious Women
So why is ambition in women often perceived so negatively? Well, a huge culprit here is traditional gender roles where women are meant to be nurturing and supportive. These gender roles, which are still entrenched in society, expect women to prioritise other people, especially their families.
If a woman is ambitious and doesn’t have a family she can be labelled unfeminine. If a woman is ambitious and does have a family, she will be labeled selfish or neglectful.
None of that is true though. We all have the right to live our lives in the way we want and we shouldn’t need to justify our ambition or our choice to start a family or not.

Challenging Perceptions and Redefining Success
So it’s clear women are facing unique challenges when expressing ambition, but what can we do about it? I believe it’s crucial that we start having conversations about our ambitions, our career advancement, and the impact we are having in our industry. That authenticity can inspire others to take steps toward their goals. It shows what is possible and helps redefine what it means to be an ambitious, focused, successful woman.

We only have so much time on this earth, we can’t afford to let other people shape our paths or hold us back. If we do, we’re letting down the people we could be helping and ourselves. So, I hope this episode gives you the confidence to embrace your ambitions, to share them with others, and to pursue them fearlessly.

LINKS:

Connect With Me:

Exceptional Leadership Framework: https://www.rebeccabangura.com/5-step-framework-to-exceptional-leadership

Book your strategy call: https://calendly.com/rebeccabangura/get_in_touch

Website: https://www.rebeccabangura.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebeccabangura/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamrebeccabangura/

Is the situation actually complicated or is it really quite straightforward, but you're making it complicated because it requires a lot of courage to make the straightforward decision?

I read this question in an email from James Clear author of "Atomic Habits", and it struck a chord with me. So much so that I pushed back my original plans for this episode so I could discuss it with you today.

Straightforward vs Complex Decisions:
I think the best place to start is understanding the difference between complex and straightforward decisions. Straightforward decisions typically have a clear goal, the outcomes are well-defined, there are only a few factors to consider and there isn’t a lot of risk if things go wrong. Complex decisions have more ambiguous objectives, the goals can be conflicting, and you are faced with multiple unpredictable variables. Most of all the stakes are high.

What’s holding us back:
You also need to consider factors that might be affecting your perception of complexity. Having experience or knowledge around a decision can make it seem a lot simpler, whereas negative emotional states or external pressures may make it seem a lot more complex. We can also have biases in our minds that hold us back from effectively making decisions. Some of the most common ones I see affecting people are:

- Overthinking: Creating problems where none exist.

- Fear of making the wrong choice: Catastrophising unlikely outcomes.

- Analysis paralysis: Getting stuck in endless evaluation without action.

- Environmental and cultural influences: Workplace pressure and social norms.

- Cognitive load: Too many things going on in life can leave us without enough cognitive resources to make a decision.

Embracing Courage and Self-Assurance:
It is so important that we accept imperfect decisions. It’s impossible to always make the best choice in life, all we can do is move forward based on what we know. It is scary but if we focus on taking decisive action and staying adaptable, we can confidently navigate whatever comes our way.

The number one message I want you to take from this episode is that nobody is perfect and we shouldn’t want to be. The ups and downs of life are what make it great. They inspire us to grow and change and be more confident each day. So have a think about what decisions you’ve been putting off, and what it is that’s really been holding you back.

Until next time, stay courageous and trust yourself to make those bold decisions!

LINKS:

Connect With Me:

Exceptional Leadership Framework: https://www.rebeccabangura.com/5-step-framework-to-exceptional-leadership

Book your strategy call: https://calendly.com/rebeccabangura/get_in_touch

Website: https://www.rebeccabangura.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebeccabangura/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamrebeccabangura/

Are you on track for what you want to achieve in 2024? I've just gotten back from a fabulous holiday with my family, but as I sit back down at my desk, it’s hard to believe we’re already in Q2 of this year!

I personally use quarters as a time of reflection to check in with myself. Am I on track for what I want to achieve? What’s working, what isn't and what do I need to do differently to create the results I want at the end of the year?

Today I want to take you on that same journey and explore why we so often don't achieve the goals we ambitiously set for ourselves. This is your opportunity to check in with yourself and make sure you're on track to create the impact and results you want this year. What we’ll talk about in this episode applies to you as an individual, both in your professional and personal life, as well as your team or organisation.

One of the biggest mistakes we make when setting goals is not being clear and specific about what we want to achieve. While it's common to have general aspirations, such as getting promoted, it's important to define the specifics of the goal. I talk about creating a SMART goal (specific, measurable, attainable, results-focused and timed), so that we can ensure our efforts are aligned with our desired outcomes.

Another common pitfall is trying to work on too many goals simultaneously. Multitasking may seem efficient, but it often leads to spreading ourselves too thin and diluting our efforts. By simplifying our focus to one goal, we amplify our results. This focused approach allows us to push through discomfort and take the necessary steps to create exponential change.

I’m a big fan of creating a clear plan to achieve our goals. Without a roadmap, we may find ourselves shuffling along, hoping for change without taking intentional action. I talk about breaking down our goal into actionable tasks and milestones, creating a logical path from where we are now to where we want to be.

The truth is, no one can achieve their goals alone, and I’m a strong believer that seeking support is essential for success. Whether it's a coach, mentor or program, having someone in our corner who believes in our potential can make a huge difference in staying motivated.

So, join me as we get curious and take actionable steps to becoming our best, most successful selves on our leadership journey!

LINKS:

Connect With Me:

Exceptional Leadership Framework: https://www.rebeccabangura.com/5-step-framework-to-exceptional-leadership

Book your strategy call: https://calendly.com/rebeccabangura/get_in_touch

Website: https://www.rebeccabangura.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebeccabangura/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamrebeccabangura/