AMBITION
The Paired Statements for Ambition:
“I am ambitious. Achieving something of lasting importance is the highest goal in life.”
Figure 1. AMBITION espousers
AMBITION espousers are over-indexed amongst younger people, up through their 20s; also amongst the AB socio-economic group. They are under-indexed amongst the over 55s. None of the groups show significant differentiation between the genders.
These are determined people, who press on regardless of setbacks. They make great allies and terrible enemies. Once they have conceived a goal or objective it becomes, long term, a matter of ego life or death. Life is likely to be seen as a competition that can be won in either the short term or the long term, but the ability to win is increased the longer they stay in the game. Challenges simply spur them on.
There are two intrinsic needs in this group as a whole that modify the nature of the goals and objectives they set themselves.
The first is their search for meaning in their life – to find their purpose. This drives them to question and change objectives as they learn more about the world and web of relationships that it comprises – both intimately and globally. Many changes are created just through the fact of living and learning.
The second modifier is that, in some parts of their life, they have found what their purpose is and are now wanting to actualize it - ways to achieve something of lasting value; the core of their ambition.
They certainly aspire to improve their situation in life. The ladder of success seems to invite them – all they have to do is make up their minds to go for it. It’s even better if the rungs have labels attached to them – like trainee, tradesman, technician, engineer, manager, chief accountant, director, and so on. That way they can easily keep track of where they’re at in comparison with others.
The important thing to know about these people is that this a fundamental source of their self -identity, not something that is just ‘kinda’ important. Flat organizational structures are not their preferred way of working. Turf wars in offices, and factory floors, around the world are fought over job titles and office arrangements – often to the consternation of people who are not espousers of AMBITION. Providing a clear path to success is vital to their well-being.
As they climb up this ladder, they inevitably discover that life is full of uncertainties. But the combination of the ambition, grit and purpose helps them confront it all with a positivity that often confounds others, yet seems ‘natural’ to these people.
An important part of converting learning into new behaviours is the acknowledgement that the formerly ‘uncertain’ choice has now turned into a ‘certain’ path – one that had to be learned; probably on multiple occasions. They have taken responsibility for their searching, and their learning. It has led them to a sense of self efficacy – they believe they are as good as anyone in delivering results on their objectives. Their values system enables them to know that setbacks are just further opportunities to learn and to achieve something of lasting importance – whatever that may be.
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Conclusion It seems that these people have a clear sense of their life’s purpose and an evolving, yet clear focus on what they want to achieve. This is more true for some than for others. One of the key transitions many of them have to deal with is to develop an actual vision and belief in their life-purpose, which demands a constant seeking for that certainty in a world of doubt. |
Here’s how AMBITION breaks out amongst the Maslow groups. We’ll discover that they are not the homogeneous group that
we might have thought at the start.
| Maslow Group | Population (base) % | Attribute % | Index |
| Pioneers | 37.7 | 35.8 | 95 |
| Prospectors | 36.8 | 43.7 | 119 |
| Settlers | 25.5 | 20.6 | 81 |
Figure 2. AMBITION espousers - Pioneers
Demographically, these Pioneer espousers of AMBITION are over-indexed amongst young people, particularly 22-24s; and amongst the AB socio-economic group. They are slightly under-indexed amongst the 45-64s, and the C2 socio-economic group.
Much of the description given for the general group of AMBITION espousers could easily be applied to these Pioneers. After all, they share four of their top-six Attributes with the general profile. But to swing everything on that same fulcrum would be to miss some critical points.
Constantly searching and constantly evolving their purpose(s) in life gives them the life platform to envision multiple versions of how to achieve something of lasting value – though that ‘lasting value’ is likely to be very different compared to the other Maslow Groups espousing AMBITION.
First and foremost, their ambition is not directed solely toward themselves. They are not particularly interested in being commemorated by a marble statue or such like; and they are not just looking for a better life situation for themselves. Rather, what they want to create is something in which all their fellow humans can share; a better world for everyone.
Their version of ‘everyone’ embraces learning from other cultures and using this to create a better world in terms of an indigenous population’s needs, wants, and desires – not just create something that replicates their own cultural values.
At the level of organizations and work groups this can mean that the Pioneer leader will be willing to throw out or radically alter structures that do not satisfy the needs of others in some part of the organization (equivalent to an indigenous population). Pioneers do not need a ladder or clear path to success – but they recognise that other people do, and this then helps define the nature of their actions.
This desire also serves to give meaning to their lives. Whether, in their own lifetime, they achieve this at the global or the local level, or even end up in the dust while trying, is not the important thing. Making the effort is what it’s about – and the reason for attempting it is the ‘bigger’ thing.
This learning based and determined approach to all things in their life can be confusing to themselves at times – no certainties but always challenges to learn from; but they have learned that the more they work at their purpose in life they more they learn and realize how much they have to be grateful for.
Living in interesting times means that the status quo is constantly being disrupted and that new crisis creates new opportunity. Each day enables them to realize their freedom to exercise new responsibilities for delivering a better world. This is done from a solid foundation of self-efficacy and the continuing cycle of effort rewarded by further sense of gratitude for their life.
These Pioneers understand that life is complex, convoluted and even uncertain. But they relish this. There is so much to learn, especially from other cultures (national and organizational) that may, at first, seem a bit strange. They are comfortable to be immersed in this strangeness, which often quickly becomes normal and a source of deep gratitude to them.
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Conclusion These people, whether visibly or not, genuinely enjoy life – along with its challenges, tears, smiles, successes, failures, hopes and fears. Without the whole of that mix, it’s a fruit cake without fruit |
Figure 3. AMBITION espousers - Prospectors
Demographically, these Prospector espousers of AMBITION over-index amongst the 15-34s and the C2 socio-economic group. Meanwhile, they under-index amongst the over 55s and the DE socio-economic group.
In their top-six choice of Attributes, these Prospectors share three with the whole family of Ambition espousers.
Their highest ranking Attribute, SHOW HOME, also measures the biggest single difference between them and the other Maslow Groups. It incapsulates the materialistic and pragmatic orientation with which they apply the rest of their AMBITION orientation. They have a willingness to spend their time on improving the appearance of their home, with a consequent interest in décor trends. This is an archetypical Prospector orientation. MY ‘home’ - be it a room at Mum and Dad’s, a flat, a house or whatever – is ‘MY space!’; and it says something about ME!
This feeling runs hand-in-glove with concern for the way they look physically. This is another thing they spend a lot of time on. Some will focus on elegance, some on ‘beauty’, some on their hairstyle, some on the way they dress, some on ‘shock and awe’. Whatever their way of ‘making a mark’, it will be their way, which almost inevitably means adaption and attachment to ‘a certain fashion genre’. They are the type of people when faced with casual dress codes in offices will spend time and effort to appear ‘more casual than casual’ but ensure that their clothing is branded and displayed to best effect.
That describes their difference from the overall profile of the AMBITION espousers. But they are similar in terms of their over indexing on GRIT, SEARCHING and ASPIRATION.
Everything is connected to these Prospectors’ need to be seen to be successful and create an impression amongst those who matter to them, and envy amongst those who don’t. In organizational systems people are often typified by their position within working groups or their place in the corporate hierarchy. Many younger people cannot be in positions of authority yet. But those with Prospector AMBITION will have a need to be seen as successful and will attempt to bring their success outside of work into the workplace. Certificates, of ‘outside’ courses taken and passed, will be displayed in the work space, pictures of them ‘winning something’ may also be shown – perhaps a ribbon or medal for being in an event ‘casually’ left for others to see. Formal systems of recognition and reward that fail to include these Prospectors will be subverted by their ‘informal’ displays.
The same is true in relation to aspiration in the wider world. What greater mark of success could there be than to leave behind something that says, categorically, ‘THAT person was here!’ – a metaphorical Blue Wall Plaque to their importance.
Yet these Prospectors are not completely self-satisfied. Underneath all the show, they still haven’t completely identified what it is that gives their life purpose, beyond giving the ‘impression of purposefulness’. Like Robert the Bruce’s spider, they will try, try, try again to find that one thing that seems constantly to elude them. This is the engine behind their aspiration to achieve a better position in life, and why they will always want to know, and for others to see, where they are on the greasy pole of success.
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Conclusion Prospector AMBITION can be likened to planting a flag on the summit of Everest, or on the Moon. Above all, it is putting down a marker to say “That was ME!” |
Figure 4. AMBITION espousers - Settlers
Demographically differences amongst these Settler espousers are slight.
Settler AMBITION espousers have three of their top-six associated Attributes in common with the overall group of espousers - MEANING, GRIT, and ASPIRATION. In profiling with the 118 Attributes in the CDSM data this is unusual.
Typically, Settlers tend to have very different over-indexed Attributes compared to other Maslow Groups.
The search for meaning, a purpose in life is one of the driving forces for a Settler espousing AMBITION. They are on a journey to move beyond survival into recognition by, and approval of others. Their idea of a meaningful life and leaving an important legacy is often rooted in providing for a better life for their family, and this has implications beyond merely wanting a ’better life’. They will agree that a fair day’s work deserves fair pay. But the reason they work is not just for the money.
Great social movements in the 20th century were driven by these AMBITION driven Settlers. Their grit and determination in the face of great institutional and organizational opposition changed the society around them and their families as they attempted to provide a better world for their children. And their desires for better opportunity for their children created the conditions for the NHS and universal education – neither of which can continue without their fight to create them and keep them sacrosanct.
They feel that life is tough and only the tough survive. Their attitude of grit and determination is a traditional British virtue – the British Bulldog spirit much prized by many. The willingness and ability to face adversity is amplified by their aspirations for a better life and to display their success to others.
These AMBITION espousers can be seen as the leading edge of Settlers dissatisfied with their place in life. These are the types who question the morality of ‘knowing your place’, who will ‘get on their bike’ and seek pastures new. They may well mix with people who have different values like the Pioneers – but unlike the Pioneers they will be less likely to think they have anything to learn from others.
Rather than learning from others, the informal ways to deal with each other, they are looking for a set of rules to mould and reinforce their thoughts and behaviours. Rules provide them with guides for living, rules make them feel comfortable (to be ‘normal’) and to consciously know what is acceptable to do and what not to do. Once they know what is acceptable they will attempt to stay within ‘the rules’, it provides them with a sense of safety, security and belonging – and they expect others to do so as well.
They deeply believe that people should do what they are told, follow the rules, even when no-one is watching. Those who ‘break the rules’ threaten their comfort and safety and the AMBITION espousing Settlers both fear and hate those who transgress.
From that point of view, it is no surprise to also see WHIP in the mix. WHIP is a belief that some crimes deserve more than simply locking people up; it also means that there should be the possibility of public punishment and humiliation.
Among all the Maslow groups the Settler AMBITION espousers are most likely to agree that it’s a simple step from punishing criminals harshly, including whipping, and on to re-instating the death penalty.
The rules provide the backdrop; the basic safety net to argue for fairness and a level playing field. They don’t always get it, and a dark side can emerge.
Like the Prospectors they aspire to be, they want to level the playing field, shifting the balance of power in their favour, to create something of lasting value. But something of lasting value is more likely to be in terms of their family’s future rather than a monument to themselves. Also like the Prospectors they want their success in terms of lasting value to have high visibility – to let the world know that their family is equal to anyone else’s. Education is the great leveller for the ambitious Settler. Degrees and work titles are very important to them.
They feel, be it true or not, that they have been dealt a bad hand in life but, through the grit to stick to their purpose, they believe they can get to the top by following the rules. People seen to be breaking the rules becomes a personal affront to them, the transgressors are potentially disrupting their family plans and as a result they favour strict punishments. Crime is personal, always.
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Conclusion These Settler espousers of AMBITION are, in a number of ways, atypical of the whole Settler clan. More than anything, they are prepared to expend significant energy to defy ‘fate’ and make life better for themselves and their loved ones. Other values systems may perceive some of this as harsh or overly judgemental – but should acknowledge that this is the spirit that changed the world, for better or worse, in the 20th century. If others took the time to look, they would surely perceive multiple aspects of these people that can be robustly defined as ‘admirable’. |