In his new book “The Hidden Agenda: A Proven Way to Win Business and Create a Following,” author Kevin Allen defines “real ambition” as the human desire to create something good where nothing existed before.
“Would it be better if I called these dreams?” he asks. “Not for me. A dream is some sort of apparition. They’re thoughts you go to in your sleep or when you drift off in geometry class. Real ambition is your own fiery desire to grow, to go from one state to an expanded one. Real ambition is not a hope for, it is a will be.”
He lists these five key qualities of real ambition:
It has noble intentions. It must be of benefit to all constituencies, both in and outside of the organization.
It is a statement of clear intent. It is a statement of unequivocal intention and certainty of purpose that cascades to all corners of the organization and makes it clear that almost is not good enough and half measures are no measures at all.
It seems impossible. It’s about a great leap to a completely new state of being.
It has a catalytic core. It is a belief in something collectively embraced and wholeheartedly pursued. Real ambition should motivate, stir, inspire and galvanize.
It’s in simple human language. Its language must be such that it can reach the hearts of everyone, from the board room to the guy who moves the furniture, because each effort, however large or small, is vital to making the ambition a reality.
