Ambition is outdated | The Press

the New York Times speaks of an era of anti-ambition¹, Beyoncé invites us to quit our jobs and the web is obsessed with “quiet quitting”, the art of doing only the bare minimum at work. What’s going on with our professional aspirations, huh?

I open the app instagram. In a viral video, a costumed comedian embodies both a boss and his employee. the boss offers a promotion to the second, who declines it. Come on, you can’t refuse! The subordinate explains that it is nevertheless simple: he likes to have free time…

Follows a post by author Amber Sparks. “I don’t believe that your life needs to have a goal, or you, a great ambition; I think it’s okay to just wander through life finding interesting things until you die. »

A few seconds later, to the question “What is your dream job?” “, an influencer replies:” I do not really dream of being exploited, sorry … “

Ambition is attacked from all sides.

However, not so long ago, we made idols of entrepreneurs, right? We talked about the A effect and we envied the audacity of the people who showed up at In the eye of the dragon… Why, all of a sudden, do we see ambition less clearly?

I posed the question to two researchers. Discloser: they talked to me in particular about feminine values ​​and patriarchal society. (Please read to the end, if you’re already thinking of sending me an angry email.)

Ambition is innate, first explained to me the work psychologist Julie Ménard.

“When we look at longitudinal studies, in childhood, ambition is something clear. Three-year-olds—boys or girls—want to master a special skill and be recognized for it. »

Consider becoming a star astronaut or, in my case, marrying Gilles Latulippe (I’ve always had somewhat left-field ambitions).

“What studies teach us is that the need for recognition is fundamental to the development of our identity, continues the psychology professor. Wanting to be seen for the efforts you make is innate. »

Ambition therefore depends on the characteristics of each individual, but the cultural context also plays a big part in it. For a long time, competition was valued at work. In a linear hierarchical structure, one had to be ambitious to move up the ladder.

However, this is no longer the case, explained to me Mircea Vultur, professor of sociology and researcher in socioeconomics of work.

Workers are now less attracted by a title than by a challenge. They find their value elsewhere than in a promotion. Above all, they know that there is something other than work.

Julie Ménard goes there with an intergenerational comparison: “Baby boomers were not exposed to the notion of balance as we know it today. Now, maybe it’s more in private life that people want to be seen and recognized. »

We are therefore at the point of determining what should be valued or not. And that’s where the big words come in…

“Ambition is in a certain way associated with the values ​​of patriarchy and a traditional world of work, slips Mircea Vultur. Today, social criticism is very strong, we are more about equality and collaboration. »

Moreover, the researcher notes that it is increasingly difficult to recruit people to fill management positions. The concern is that we still impose the obligation of results on certain people, but that they no longer have the same authority over their employees. Today, as a boss, you have collaborators, not subordinates. And you depend on them to succeed… A position that requires flexibility.

It’s all a question of societal values, summarizes Julie Ménard: “We are in a society with so-called more feminine values, that is, oriented towards taking care of and giving to others. Since success, power, and wealth are finite resources, one may be less comfortable appropriating them. We value those who help others achieve their goals more than their own. »

This all makes a lot of sense, but even simpler: isn’t it hard to be ambitious when a pandemic has taught us that the majority of jobs are non-essential, that a nuclear threat is looming and we knows stuck in a climate crisis?

Mircea Vultur agrees with me: “Ambition is linked to a certain predictability of our trajectory. Many employers say: “You can’t rely on young people anymore, they don’t want any more responsibilities!” It’s rather that they can’t plan for the long term… Why wait? »

Julie Ménard also believes that the uncertain future encourages us to invest more in the present. But there is more, she says. There is faith.

Why want to move forward at all costs, if there is not necessarily a reward at the end of the road? Or if we know that despite our best efforts, our position can be abolished? We saw our parents lose their jobs after dedicating their lives to it, after all…

So, in the trash, ambition?

As we knew it, perhaps. But it remains healthy on many levels, insists Julie Ménard.

“If it’s about feeling competent and recognized, that’s a great thing! Where it gets difficult is when pressure is felt, goals are unrealistic, or the desire to be seen is insatiable. Otherwise, being seen is good! »

All you have to do is decide who you want to be…