Ambition. That is a simple enough word, three syllables right? It’s a word that is not at all difficult to pronounce (maybe for some people). It is something we all should have in our lives no matter what our goals and aspirations are. Without ambition those goals and are like a driving a car from L.A to Vegas on a fourth of a tank of gas. You may want to get there soon enough, but you really will not get very far. No there is nothing wrong with having ambition and wanting to get to the top. However, there is something wrong when you do WHATEVER it takes to get there.
“WHATEVER it takes!” or “By any means necessary.” As a society we hear these terms often and they are applicable to certain things. Perhaps most parents would do what Denzel Washington’s character did in John Q if their child’s life depended on it. But it is crazy how many people apply this thinking to their business and professional goals, WHATEVER IT TAKES.
Over the years, Hollywood has given us characters we love to hate. Fictional characters that are willing to do whatever it takes to be on top. For example J.R Ewing from the show Dallas, J.R would do whatever it took to stay top dog at the family business including lie, cheat, frame his brothers, whatever it took to stay on top. Flash forward to the present with Rowan Pope or “Papa Pope” as die hard Scandal fans call him. (SPOILER ALERT) The season finale showed us that Rowan was willing to do “whatever it took” to get back B613 and get his daughter Olivia out of the country. He wanted to be on top by any means necessary, which included killing the President’s son, and Pope Associate Harrison. We all know that ultimately his machinations will be exposed, just like other over zealous go-getters.
Overly ambitious people scare me to an extent. While granted most if not all of the overly ambitious people I know would not go to the J.R and Rowan extremes, their limits to what they would do go far beyond what some of us could imagine. There are a number of people that I come in contact with from day to day that I simply do not trust, and overly ambitious people are right there at the top of that list. There are a lot of ways to spot an overly ambitious person that is willing to do whatever it takes. Mainly you see this person in the workplace or in your professional groups. They are often gunning for positions that are 1. Not even available, 2. That they are not qualified for. So they use their skills of manipulation to work their magic with often-disastrous results. Look at the following traits of an overly ambitious person, if you can identify someone that fits these traits…tread carefully.
Characteristics of an Overly Ambitious Person:
1. Every word out of his/her mouth sounds as if they are campaigning.
2. Constantly throwing shade at his/her coworkers (pointing out little petty errors, or mistakes, constantly making negative remarks) especially around supervisors, leaders, and other important key people.
3. Constant kissing up to leaders, supervisors, executives.
4. (The flip of #2 above). Overly complementing you for EVERY little thing. To a point where it really does not feel genuine.
5. Asking colleagues to do work that he/she feels is beneath them, but then takes the credit for it in front of leadership.
6. Refusal to own up to his/her mistakes especially around leadership. Makes excuses, gets defensive and/or almost combative when their error is called out.
7. Refuses to do something without a title, praise, or compensation.
8. Talks about everyone around the office, network, organization, but then acts like their best friend when they come around.
9. Views you as “trouble” or a “rebel” if you speak your mind especially if it challenges his/her ideas or projects.
10. Afraid to challenge upper management or key leaders or ask questions of leadership because they don’t want to ruffle feathers.
11. Never associates with you unless a favor is needed, or job to be done that will make him/her look good.
12. Only attends meetings, events, and planning sessions if there is a opportunity for him/her to shine.
13. Throws a tantrum if he/she looses out on a promotion, election, or appointment and results to desperate measures to get back on top (mud-slinging, demanding recount, etc). Sometimes this person will leave or quit all together (see #7 above).
14. Aligns him/herself with other sneaky, ambitious, and manipulative people with promises of an outcome… (“If you align with me, you will be my #2”. we can share the position, etc) that normally will never come to pass.
15. Leaving you out of important meetings with key people and then swear you were included but there is no documentation or schedule a meeting on a day you can’t attend (off work, out of town, another meeting) then make you look bad to leaders for not attending.
Recognize any of those characteristics? As you read, did you go “Oh my God that, is (insert name here)! ” You really have to be careful around these people. They may act like your friend, they may talk to you all the time, or the opposite they may not but then all of a sudden they are your best friend? Know the signs folks. Often time it helps to think like them, so that you can understand them. As you study the characteristics above, you will know who to steer clear from. The irony of the whole thing is often times the over zealous person has become somewhat a joke in many circles. Their reputation proceeds them within the organization, workplace, or other professional groups. This can spill into their personal lives, leaving them alone with no real friends, or meaningful relationships other then the ones they think they have formed but usually it’s his/her own mind. (“Oh me and the Vice-President are the best of friends!”)
If this person does make it up to the top (which is rare) their success is as temporary as Clear Pepsi. Often times, these are not the people leaders want representing their brand. In some organizations, there is an opportunity for everyone to have success and shine, yet the over zealous person shows their hand and tries to prove just how much more talented he or she is over the rest, which turns out to be an epic fail.
There is nothing wrong with ambition, having goals, and having the desire to be on top, but it should never, never come at the expense of others, sacrificing your morals and beliefs, and tearing down your reputation
It can be very, very lonely at the top. Is it worth it??
