The Power of Ambition: How It Drives Success and When It Becomes a Double-Edged Sword

Ambition is often seen as the engine behind high achievement, pushing individuals to set bold goals and strive for greatness. From career success to academic excellence and personal growth, ambition fuels performance in many areas of life. But while ambition can be a powerful motivator, it also has its downsides—leading to stress, burnout, and even ethical compromises if not managed wisely.

So, is ambition always good? Or can too much of it work against us? Let’s explore what science says about how ambition affects performance, well-being, and long-term success.

In business and leadership development, ambition is often explored through leadership assessments and psychometric testing, including tools like Hogan Assessments, which help identify strengths, motivations, and potential challenges.

Ambition as a Key to High Performance

Research confirms that ambition is a strong predictor of success. Ambitious individuals tend to:

• Set challenging goals – Studies show that people with higher ambition continuously push themselves toward greater accomplishments. Whether it’s aiming for a promotion, starting a business, or pursuing advanced education, ambitious individuals set their sights high and put in the effort to achieve those goals.

• Work harder and persist longer – Ambition creates internal motivation that drives individuals to stay committed, even in the face of setbacks. Research finds that ambitious employees tend to be more engaged and productive in the workplace, often outperforming their peers. Similarly, students with high ambition achieve better academic results because they dedicate more time to studying and skill-building.

• Develop resilience – Pursuing ambitious goals isn’t easy. Challenges and failures are inevitable, but ambitious people are more likely to view them as opportunities to grow rather than reasons to give up. This mindset helps them bounce back from setbacks faster and continue striving toward success.

• Achieve higher career and financial success – Long-term studies show that ambitious individuals tend to secure higher salaries, more prestigious job titles, and better career advancement opportunities than their less ambitious peers. Their drive helps them seize opportunities and climb the professional ladder more quickly. Organisations often use tools like Hogan Personality Assessments as part of their talent acquisition strategy to identify ambitious individuals who can thrive in demanding roles. Using psychometric assessments helps companies make informed decisions and support leadership development.

The Dark Side of Ambition: When It Works Against You

While ambition can be a powerful asset, unchecked ambition can also lead to negative outcomes. Here’s how:

• Burnout and chronic stress – Research suggests that highly ambitious individuals are more prone to workaholism, which can lead to exhaustion and mental fatigue. Many ambitious people push themselves so hard that they neglect work-life balance, leading to stress, anxiety, and even health problems.

• Disappointment and dissatisfaction – Ambition often creates a never-ending cycle of wanting more. Even after achieving one goal, ambitious people tend to set an even higher one. While this can be motivating, it can also lead to chronic dissatisfaction—where success never feels like enough.

• Strained relationships – Extremely ambitious individuals may prioritise their careers over their personal lives, which can lead to strained friendships, family conflicts, or even loneliness. A hyper-focus on achievement sometimes comes at the cost of meaningful relationships.

• Ethical risks – Studies show that people with high extrinsic ambition (driven by money, status, or power) may be more willing to cut ethical corners to get ahead. This is particularly relevant in high-stakes careers where ambition can lead to unethical behaviour like misrepresenting qualifications, exploiting others, or even breaking the rules. This is why structured psychometric assessments, such as Hogan Assessments, are valuable—they provide an objective view of leadership potential while highlighting risks like over-ambition.