Forget the ambition gap, it's the ‘ambition penalty’ that's really holding women back at work

Glamour | Stefanie O'Connell Rodriguez

While the "ambition gap" theory suggests that gender inequalities in the workplace stem from women's lower ambition levels, research indicates that women initially enter the workforce with equal or higher ambition than men. However, they are often penalized for acting on their ambitions, resulting in social, professional, and financial costs. This phenomenon, referred to as the "ambition penalty," affects various aspects, including pay negotiations and perceptions of confidence and ambition, particularly impacting women of color. Challenging this narrative is essential to addressing gender inequalities in pay, wealth, and leadership.