Beyond the Ladder: Women Leaders Redefine Ambition

Chief and The Harris Poll surveyed over 1,000 senior women leaders, including CEOs, executives, entrepreneurs and consultants, to explore the current state of women’s ambition. The findings challenge outdated narratives: senior women leaders aren’t stepping back -- they’re redefining leadership on their own terms.

Key Insights:

Ambition Evolved:

• 86% say they are more ambitious now than five years ago.
• Ambition now includes autonomy, influence, flexibility, impact, and legacy—beyond just financial success.
• Career disruption is inspiring intentional, self-directed career design.

Bold Career Moves:

• 96% have made at least one bold career move recently, from stepping into C-Suite roles to entrepreneurship and consulting.
• 71% of career transitions are by choice, motivated by growth, impact, autonomy, and alignment with values.

The Multi-Hyphenate Era:

• Senior women leaders hold, on average, three professional identities simultaneously.
• Success is increasingly portfolio-based and multi-dimensional.

Networks as Power:

• 94% agree that being around ambitious women leaders fuels their own ambition.
• Networks accelerate problem-solving, create opportunities, and serve as lifelines during uncertainty.

Download the full report to explore the insights in depth.