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How much ambition is too much? With Lucy Kellaway
Season 2 · Episode 77

How much ambition is too much? With Lucy Kellaway

We’re taught to dream big – but we can’t all reach the top

Working It · Mischa Frankl-Duval

August 13, 202418m 39s

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Show Notes

In most workplaces, expressing ambition is non-negotiable. We’re all meant to strive, to want more, and to summit ever more impressive professional peaks; but only a handful ever reach the top. Besides, does ambition really make us happy? In this episode, Isabel Berwick speaks to Stefan Stern, author of ‘Fair or Foul: The Lady Macbeth Guide to Ambition.’. They discuss why even the highest achievers can never accomplish enough.’ Later, Isabel speaks to teacher and former FT journalist Lucy Kellaway, who explains why tempering your ambition can be the difference between satisfaction and sadness.


Want more? Free links:

Necessary but corrosive: Lucy Kellaway on ambition

Is the age of ambition over?

Why ‘post-ambition’ is the secret to career enlightenment


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Presented by Isabel Berwick, produced by Mischa Frankl-Duval, mixed by Simon Panayi. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Cheryl Brumley is the FT’s head of audio.

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com


Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com


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