by Rutger Bregman
What if we measured success not by wealth or status, but by the impact we leave behind? This is the radical premise of Moral Ambition, where Rutger Bregman calls for a fundamental shift in how we define meaningful work. He challenges us to rethink ambition—not as a climb up the corporate ladder, but as a commitment to solving the world’s most pressing challenges.
Moral ambition is the desire to be one of the best, but measured by different standards of success — not motivated by big paychecks, fancy honorifics or a huge corner office, but pursuing a career dedicated to finding the best solutions to the biggest problems the world is facing now.
Bregman doesn’t just call for action; he dismantles the myths that hold us back. He exposes the trap of “bullshit jobs,” the illusion of personal career success disconnected from societal progress, and the misplaced belief that small, individual actions—consuming less, donating occasionally—are enough to drive real change. Instead, he urges us to step into the arena, to be bold, strategic, and pragmatic in pursuit of something greater than ourselves.
In actual fact, ambition is just raw energy: what you do with it is up to you.
At SHIFTSCHOOL, we therefore have chosen ASPIRATION as part of our SHAPE Framework—the strong desire to achieve the best possible outcome through open experimentation. Aspiration is not passive dreaming; it is deliberate, courageous action. Bregman’s work resonates deeply with this principle. True transformation, whether personal or societal, requires more than awareness—it demands risk, resilience, and the willingness to challenge entrenched systems.
Rethinking Success: Why Moral Ambition Matters More Than Ever
But Bregman also reminds us that moral ambition is not a solo act. Throughout history, the most transformative movements—from the abolitionists to the suffragettes—did not succeed because they were the wealthiest or most powerful, but because they built alliances, made strategic compromises, and relentlessly pushed forward.
But what if we combine the best of both worlds? What if we take the ambition of a highly successful go-getter and add a healthy dose of idealism? What happens then?
Change, he argues, is not about purity of ideology but about pragmatic persistence—knowing when to push hard, when to adapt, and when to unite across differences. It is this balance of radical vision and practical execution that turns ambition into impact.
Furthermore, I highly recommend exploring Rutger Bregman’s thought-provoking works. To begin, Humankind offers a refreshing perspective on human nature, challenging the notion that humans are inherently selfish and highlighting our capacity for cooperation and kindness. In Utopia for Realists, Rutger presents bold ideas such as universal basic income and a shorter workweek, encouraging readers to envision and strive for a more equitable society.
Keen on this book? Let’s buy Rutger’s book local.
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