Balancing Ambition and Authenticity: Strategies for Women Starting the Corporate Climb

“Success is only meaningful and enjoyable if it feels like your own.”

Michelle Obama is not wrong. The position of First Lady is inherently secondary, but Michelle harnessed her own successes independent of her husband and continues to inspire women all over the world to date.

While not all of us are destined for a career in the White House, the premise is still the same; our ambitions and authentic selves should work in tandem – be hand in hand – if we want to discover the true meaning of success.

An important aspect to consider when approaching relative ideals of success, is a framework called intersectionality. Civil rights advocate Kimberlé Crenshaw coined this term to highlight the inter-connectedness of categories such as race, gender, and class. Crenshaw’s concept of intersectionality is useful to consider when recognizing the interrelated forms of disadvantage in society and how they impact our respective ambitions and authenticity…

You can reach for the stars, but without respect you won’t get very far

Remember, you bring something to the table that no one else does, but so does everyone else – that is why ambition and authenticity are so important.

Researchers Jennifer Knowles and Lisa Mainiero discovered that for us women, the climb to success is particularly different than for men. In a study, these researchers noted that despite women being more ambitious, they are perceived to be less so due to discriminatory societal structures, which sadly causes some ‘women to abandon their ambition’.

They also discovered that women are seen as nurturing and thus more likely to prioritise their family over their careers, but at the same time are expected to adhere to standardised expectations of leadership. These dichotomies, combined with the differences in training and mentorship for women, has led to the gradual collapse of ambition and/or authenticity for women in the workplace.

However, all hope is not lost! These findings are published to raise awareness, not demotivate.

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The Kaleidoscope Career Model (KCM)

Mainiero designed the Kaleidoscope Career Model (KCM), to support women in the foundations of their careers. As we climb the corporate ladder, we are faced with the following three parameters during our transition:

Authenticity – Do your personal values align with the values of the/your business?
Balance – Is it possible, and sustainable, to balance work and life in this job?
Challenge – Is the job mentally stimulating? Is there room for advancement within the company?

The idea of the KCM model is, how we prioritise each of these values is continually dynamic. Think of it as a dial: if we turn the volume up for one, the others will naturally fade into the background. In the context of a new career, challenge usually takes precedent.

3. Upgrade your skills along the way

Seeking out support and learning don’t have to be two separate tasks for a woman entrepreneur looking to be successful.

Building your skills and knowledge are a critical factor in running a business, yet a lot of us can get bogged down with feeling like we need to ‘know it all’ before we even get started.

Instead, focus on building a solid support network and learning and upskilling as you go – memberships focusing on training modules and programmes, coaching, in-person networking and in-depth support can cover all of your bases without making you feel as though you’re compromising on your growth to focus on your learning.

Being aware of this dynamic structure reminds you to closely monitor your decision making when embarking on new professional journeys, and to evaluate your individual objectives with a holistic perspective.

Ambition and authenticity can and do work well together – one propels the other, and both facilitate your personal and vocational endeavours. Be resilient, be consistent, and most importantly, be you.

ProspHER can support you in evolving your story and progressing professionally with passion, purpose and power – find out how here.