"What is ambition? I define ambition as that strong desire we have to make something or to achieve something, even when it takes great effort, focus, and determination. It's worth paying attention to that hunger you have because it's not necessarily a bad thing. In fact, it's a key part of the drive that moves you to cultivate influence. The desire of ambition can take many forms. It can be the desire in you to: Create beautiful art. Help others reach their potential. Build space for kids to get off the streets. Establish a platform to give a voice to the voiceless. Produce a large event for those who have written off Jesus.

In its purest form, there's nothing wrong with ambition. It's one of the hallmarks of leadership. Do you feel it? Drink it in, beacuse it's good. Ambition is what drives us to want more opportunities, to have more influence, and to contribute to the overal mission of life with greater impact. The problem for many leaders is that they do not know what to do with that drive. Letting it run wild can be disastrous, but putting it on mute doesn't work either. I've tried both. I'll bet you have too.

Even though leaders need this drive to lead, ambition doesn't wait for authority to show up. Ambition doesn't magically begin when you are placed in charge. Believing that you need a position of authority to exercise your ambition is a lie, and as soon as that lie takes root in you, you will find yourself losing the influence you desire to cultivate and develop. Worse, failing to direct your ambition in good and healthy ways can twist it, and something meant for good can be co-opted by a selfish motive or a narrow focus that is of no benefit to anyone but you."

Clay Scroggins, How to Lead When You're Not in Charge (Zondervan Reflective: 2017). Pages 65-66.