When we think about ambition, we often think about the things we want to be: a CTO, a project manager, part of our startup. But what if our ambition was focused on what we want to do, rather than what we want to be? What if we were less concerned with titles and more focused on the impact we want to make?
In my experience, having a do-oriented ambition is more fulfilling and motivating than a be-oriented one. When we focus on what we want to do, we get a clear sense of purpose and direction. We know what we want to achieve and why it matters. That clarity makes it easier to stay motivated, even in the face of setbacks, boredom, or slow progress.
A be-oriented ambition can be vague and hard to define. We may have a general idea of what we want to be, but it is not always clear what that means in terms of daily actions and goals. We can end up chasing a title or a status symbol without really understanding why it matters to us. And when the title is all that is left, the work itself can feel like a grind.
The management trap for engineers
There is a common narrative in engineering: if you are good at your job, the next step is management. Many engineers absorb this and start chasing a management title, even if they are not drawn to the work itself. The result is a lot of people who feel they should lead, but who are not actually energized by the responsibilities of leadership.
Management is a different job. It is about people, incentives, coaching, conflict, and building systems that let others perform. If that work does not appeal to you, you are not failing. You are choosing a different path. A do-oriented ambition helps you separate the work you want from the status you think you should have.
Example: the admin who chose the work he loved
I once worked with a skilled IT administrator who decided he preferred landscaping. He was good at his job, reliable, and trusted. But the work itself did not energize him the way hands-on, outdoor work did. He chose to do what he found fulfilling, even though it looked like a step down on paper.
From a be-oriented lens, this makes no sense. From a do-oriented lens, it is the healthiest choice you can make. He optimized for the work, not the label.
Pitfalls of chasing titles
When people chase the title instead of the work, the tradeoffs show up quickly:
- Burnout is common because the daily responsibilities do not match what energizes you.
- Wasted potential shows up when you leave a craft you could have mastered.
- Poor leadership outcomes appear when people who do not enjoy people work try to manage teams.
- Stress spreads to the team when a leader is unmotivated or uncomfortable with the role.
A simple ambition reset
If you are unsure whether a title is the right goal, do a short reset:
- What do I think I want to be?
- What work does that role actually entail week to week?
- Does that work sound fun, engaging, or fulfilling?
- If not, why do I want the title at all?
- What kinds of work do I consistently enjoy and want more of?
This is not about rejecting growth. It is about making sure your growth points at work you want to do, not just a label you want to carry.
Try the work before you take the title
A useful way to test your ambition is to do small versions of the job you think you want. If you are curious about management, try mentoring someone, leading a small project, or owning a planning cycle. If you love it, that is a signal. If you dread it, that is also a signal, and it is valuable.
The point is to make ambition concrete. Do not wait for a promotion to find out whether you actually enjoy the work. Try the work now, in a low-risk way, and adjust from there.
What a do-oriented ambition looks like
A do-oriented ambition can take many forms. It might mean shipping a product you are proud of, teaching others, building a reliable platform, or becoming the person who solves a specific kind of hard problem. The common thread is that the work itself feels worth doing.
Titles can still matter, but they should be a byproduct. Build a career around work that feels meaningful, not around titles that look good on a profile.
