Let’s agree as a foundation that without ambition in leadership, there would be no growth or innovation. In other words, let’s agree that ambition is something positive. But let’s also agree that when ambition mixes with other opposing forces, such as selfishness or even greed, it can become a barrier instead of a driving force.
Executive coaching plays a key role in helping leaders differentiate between healthy ambition, which fuels growth, and toxic ambition, which isolates and consumes them. A crucial concept in this process is the distinction between an abundance mindset and a scarcity mindset—, an idea explored by leadership and executive coaching experts like Jim Selman.
Ambition in Leadership: A Drive or a Trap?
Well-directed ambition is the engine that drives leaders and companies toward growth. It is the energy that leads a CEO to reinvent their industry or an entrepreneur to challenge the status quo. However, when ambition is uncontrolled, it can generate behaviors that, in the long run, destroy more than they build.
In this mindset, leaders pursue success at all costs, often a scarcity mindsetwhere the only way to win is for others to lose. In this mental framework, the leader seeks success above all else, regardless of the costs to their team, their company, or their own mental health. This is where selfishness and greed appear as symptoms of poorly channeled ambition.
Selfishness in Leadership: Protection or Isolation?
Selfishness in leadership can manifest in many ways: from the inability to delegate to a lack of empathy with the team. A leader like this believes they must control every decision, that their vision is the only valid one, and that sharing information or power weakens them.
his attitude arises from a scarcity mindset, where resources—whether ideas, recognition, or authority—are perceived as limited. As a result, the leader isolates themselves, the team becomes demotivated, and the organization loses innovation and adaptability.
— A leader with an abundance mindset understands that power multiplies when shared. Instead of seeing others’ talent as a threat, they see it as an opportunity to grow together. They foster collaboration, build trust, and create an environment where everyone can shine.
Greed in Leadership: Security or Fear?
Greed in the context of leadership is not limited to money. It can also manifest in the accumulation of recognition, contacts, or influence without the intention of sharing. A greedy leader fears losing what they have achieved, which leads them to make decisions based on fear rather than vision.
From the perspective of executive coaching, greed is an extreme manifestation of the scarcity mindset. It is based on the belief that “it is never enough” and that success is only maintained by protecting it from others. Paradoxically, this attitude often leads to the opposite result: demotivated teams, toxic environments, and weak leadership.
— A leader with an abundance mindset understands that success is not a finite resource. They know that sharing opportunities and recognizing others’ talent strengthens their own position. Instead of clinging to control, they build sustainable structures that enable continuous growth.
Distinguishing Abundance vs. Scarcity
The distinction between abundance and scarcity is common in coaching, and it suggests that the fundamental difference between effective leaders and those who stagnate lies in how they see the world.
- A scarcity mindset leads to extreme competition, fear of failure, and the need to control everything. It translates into authoritarian leadership, toxic corporate cultures, and a short-term vision.
- An abundance mindset fosters collaboration, innovation, and trust that there is enough for everyone. Those who operate from this perspective see opportunities where others see threats and create organizational cultures based on co-creation and continuous learning.
From executive coaching, the challenge is to help leaders identify from which mindset they are operating and to guide them in seeing the impact and results they are achieving, as well as exploring the benefits of conscious and generous leadership.
Un liderazgo basado en la abundancia
— Honest self-evaluation: Ask yourself if you make decisions from fear or from possibility. Is your leadership aimed at protecting what you have or expanding what you can achieve with others?
— Fostering collaboration: Instead of seeing others as competition, seek strategic alliances. A committed team is more powerful than any solo leader.
— Transforming control into trust: Delegating is not losing power but multiplying it. Empowering others strengthens your leadership.
— Redefining successIf your only metric is the accumulation of money, power, or influence, you will inevitably feel like it is never enough. Expand your vision: How can you generate real and lasting impact?
A leader who understands that success is not just about accumulating but about creating and sharing value is a leader who not only thrives but also transforms their environment.
