The Ambition Penalty

We spoke up. We took charge. We asked for more. But where has it actually left us? Not only are generations of women more burnt out than ever, but the gender pay gap has barely budged in decades. In The Ambition Penalty , journalist Stefanie O''Connell presents a deeply researched and sometimes shocking look at the ways women remain passed over and excluded, not for a lack of ambition, but because of it. She calls it ''the ambition penalty'' - the sum of the financial, personal, and professional costs women face for daring to want more. The Ambition Penalty dismantles the myth that women are less ambitious than their male peers and debunks common claims - like women aren''t confident enough and don''t negotiate enough - used to justify stubborn gender gaps in power. This book reveals why decades of educational gains and empowerment messages have not translated into corresponding advances for women at work or at home. The Ambition Penalty gives women the talking points they can use to call out these biases, and lays out proven practices for leaders and allies committed to cultivating environments where women''s ambitions are supported, rewarded, and celebrated.

About the author

Stefanie O'Connell

Product details

• Authors: Stefanie O'Connell
• Publisher: Piatkus
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Release: 19.05.2026
• EAN: 9780349448220
• ISBN: 978-0-349-44822-0
• No. of pages: 288
• Subjects: Guides > Law, job, finance > Training, job, career; Social sciences, law, business > Sociology > Sociological theories; BUSINESS & ECONOMICS / Personal Finance / General, Personal finance, Business and Management, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Women's Studies, BUSINESS & ECONOMICS / Management, BUSINESS & ECONOMICS / Careers / General, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Feminism & Feminist Theory, Business & management, Business ethics & social responsibility, Business communication & presentation, Advice on careers & achieving success, Feminism & feminist theory, Gender studies: women, Job hunting / changing careers, Careers guidance, Business ethics and social responsibility, Feminism and feminist theory, Advice on careers and achieving success, Gender studies: women and girls, Employment & Labour Law, International Women’s Day, BUSINESS & ECONOMICS / Careers / Interviewing, Subject matter intended specifically for women and/or girls, Discrimination in employment law, Business communication, etiquette and presentation