Her Majesty Ambition!

Prevailing attitudes hinder career progression

It is perhaps fair to say that the stereotypes and attitudes that still lead to men being more likely to be in leadership positions and to achieve greater career success today are much deeper rooted than they might seem at first sight. However progressive the world may seem to be today, the prevailing culture still inculcates and maintains certain attitudes towards women’s goals and aspirations in life.

These attitudes are often subtly reinforced, shaping children’s perceptions from an early age of what is acceptable for boys and girls, and what roles they should prepare to play in society. Unfortunately, however, the goals and dreams imposed on girls are still very often unrelated to professional, creative, scientific success or even to any personal ambition at all.

Have lower expectations

Perhaps that’s why a large number of women don’t even dare to think about the possibility of running a big company, building their own business empire or bringing world-changing innovations to the world. Even successful women on a career path are often held back by certain attitudes within themselves and, just as importantly, from outside society. It is as if they are saying that a woman can be successful but not too successful, that she can reach the heights of her career, but not as successful as men. These attitudes, in a sense, set limits to women’s career ambitions and the expectations that go with them.

A simple example of this is the fact that I meet more than 60 men and women in person for career counselling each year. And while 8 out of 10 men say they see their highest career goal as a company manager, only 1 in 10 women say they want to be a company manager. Women are more likely to settle for finance, sales or HR manager positions.

Moreover, it can be seen that even men and women competing for the same positions have different salary expectations. Women tend to have lower expectations and often say they want less – and this is probably not because they are inherently more modest or less ambitious. The real reason is probably that women are taught from an early age by the prevailing culture not to want too much – unless, of course, it is about being the prettiest or the most stylish.

It’s important not to be afraid to change

However, this situation will inevitably have to change, and positive changes are already visible. For them, the success stories of women are crucial to inspire and encourage more of them not to be afraid to pursue their desired profession, career or other highs. In Lithuania, women in the highest positions of the state could be such an inspiring example – until recently, both the President of the country and the Speaker of the Seimas were women. And our President is seen as a strong leader and role model for women not only in Lithuania, but also in Europe and the world!

Of course, how parents raise their children and the perceptions they foster in them also have a major impact on women’s ambitions and career success. If women are taught from an early age to be one step behind men, if girls are taught that karate or robotics are boys’ hobbies and that they are better suited to choir or ballet, then they are likely to have less ambition to achieve what they really want in the future, and to be held back by some kind of internal inhibition that prevents them from realising their full potential. Parents who wish their children happiness should, on the contrary, encourage their offspring to do what they like, regardless of gender stereotypes or prevailing attitudes.

Finally, women themselves must find the courage to tell themselves and others that they can reach the highest heights in their lives and careers, and to do everything they can to prove it. It is confidence, ambition and courage that are needed to make a positive difference. And this is true for every woman who doubts her own abilities and for society as a whole.