Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead

Let’s begin our journey with a gentle exploration of the seeds of ambition—those invisible forces that shape who dares to dream, and how high they reach. Imagine a little girl, bright-eyed and curious, watching the world unfold around her. She hears stories about presidents and astronauts, but rarely sees herself in those tales. From the earliest days, subtle cues—pink toys for girls, blue for boys; praise for being 'nice' rather than 'brave'—begin to shape what she thinks is possible. In classrooms, boys are called on more often, encouraged to take risks, and forgiven quickly for mistakes. Meanwhile, girls are nudged toward perfection, told to be helpful, to be careful, to be sweet. The ambition gap isn’t born from a lack of talent or dreams, but from a thousand tiny signals that whisper, 'Don’t reach too far.'

As she grows, this girl excels in school, often outperforming her male peers. She earns degrees, wins scholarships, and enters the workforce with hope. But as the years pass, something curious happens. The pipeline that was once full of talented, ambitious women begins to leak. Fewer women apply for promotions, fewer raise their hands in meetings, and even fewer see themselves as future leaders. This isn’t just a personal journey—it’s a pattern, repeated in every industry and every country.

Why does this happen? Partly, it’s the weight of stereotypes. When women are reminded—even subtly—that they’re not expected to excel in math, science, or leadership, their performance can dip. This is called 'stereotype threat,' and it’s a powerful, silent force. It’s reinforced by the images we see: the male CEO, the female caregiver, the 'bossy' girl versus the 'leader' boy. It’s not that women lack ambition; it’s that ambition is often discouraged, or even punished.

But the story doesn’t end here. Each generation pushes a little further. Mothers who stayed home so their daughters could go to college; daughters who entered coed classrooms and dared to dream big. Today, more young women than ever say they want successful, high-paying careers. Yet, the ambition gap remains. Only a fraction of them will make it to the top, not because they can’t, but because the world still whispers, 'Are you sure?'

As we pause here, let’s hold onto this thought: Ambition is not just a personal trait—it’s a social inheritance, shaped by every story, every lesson, every expectation. In the next section, we’ll explore the barriers—both outside and within—that stand in the way of those dreams, and how recognizing them is the first step to breaking free.