Wola Joseph-Condotti 
Ambition is not a bad word.
In fact, ambition has taken many of us (especially women)n into rooms where our mothers and grandmothers were never allowed to stand. It has fueled our rise, sharpened our voice, and challenged systems that once said “not yet” or “not you.”
But if there is one thing I have learned as a leader in both corporate and public-facing roles, it is this: Ambition without ethical grounding is dangerous.
Because while ambition can take you far, only character can keep you there.
The Two Faces of Ambition
Ambition, in its purest form, is the desire to do more, grow more, and impact more. It is the fire that drives innovation, the determination that lifts entire companies, and the tenacity that breaks glass ceilings.
But ambition has a shadow side.
When it becomes obsessed with outcomes, it can lose sight of origins. When it becomes hungry for recognition, it can starve ethics. When it becomes fixated on speed, it can forsake soul.
I have seen leaders (brilliant, charismatic, capable) trade away their peace, their values, and sometimes even their freedom, because ambition became untethered from conscience.
The Slippery Slope: Little Compromises, Big Consequences
Ethical failure rarely begins with a headline. It often begins with small compromises:
“Let us adjust the report just this once.”
“Nobody has to know.”
“If I don’t play the game, I will be left behind.”
But every decision writes your story. And every time we silence our inner voice to satisfy external pressure, we lose a piece of ourselves. Even if the world claps.
For women, the pressure can be even more nuanced. We are often told we must work twice as hard to be taken half as seriously. That “likability” is a currency. That toughness equals leadership.
And so we hustle. We over-perform. We say yes when we should say no. And sometimes, we start to bend in directions that fracture our integrity. But what is the point of winning the race if you become unrecognizable to yourself?
Leadership Judgment: The Inner Alignment Test
Every leader will face moments of ethical dilemma. What anchors you in those moments is not public opinion. It is inner alignment. The ability to lead in a way that your conscience can live with.
Before I make major decisions, I ask myself:
Can I explain this to my children with pride?
Would I do this if nobody ever applauded?
Will this decision allow me to sleep well tonight?
Because leadership is not just what we build. It is who we become while building it.
Anchoring on Faith
As a woman of faith, I have often looked to the story of Daniel. Promoted, powerful, but uncompromising.
Daniel served kings—but bowed only to God.
He worked in Babylon—but refused to eat Babylon’s food.
He rose in government—but refused to betray his values.
In a system built on ambition and flattery, Daniel stood on conviction and it set him apart. That is the kind of leadership our world needs: bold, brilliant, and anchored.
Final Thoughts
Ambition is not the enemy. But it must be sanctified.
In a world where shortcuts are glorified and ethics are negotiable, may we lead with clarity, courage, and conscience.
Let our ambition be fire—but let our character be the frame.
Let us build empires—but not at the expense of our essence.
Because when it is all said and done, true success is not just about where you arrive—it is about who you are when you get there.
Wola Joseph-Condotti is the Group Managing Director/CEO of West Power & Gas Limited. A Harvard-trained lawyer and passionate advocate for faith-driven leadership, gender equity, and energy transition in Africa, she writes from the intersection of power, purpose, and personal growth.