Ambitious vs. Driven — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Fiza Rafique — Updated on May 2, 2024
Ambitious individuals aim for high goals and personal advancement, while driven people possess an unstoppable motivation to achieve specific objectives.
Difference Between Ambitious and Driven
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Ambitious people often have broad, long-term goals focused on achieving high levels of success or recognition, whereas driven individuals are characterized by an intense, sometimes singular focus on achieving a specific target.
Ambition can be seen as a trait that fuels one’s desire for achievement in various fields such as career, education, or personal development, while being driven is more about the relentless pursuit and the means used to reach an immediate goal.
Individuals who are ambitious may thrive on setting new goals after achieving old ones, on the other hand, driven individuals might continue pushing towards an overarching objective without shifting focus.
The ambition in a person is typically associated with a desire for elevation in social status or professional hierarchy, whereas drive is often linked to intrinsic motivations and personal satisfaction.
Ambitious people may rely on strategic planning and setting milestones, while driven individuals are usually more willing to take risks and employ whatever strategies necessary to achieve their objectives.
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Comparison Chart
Goals
Broad and varied
Specific and focused
Motivation
Desire for success or recognition
Intrinsic motivation and determination
Persistence
Until goals are achieved
Intense, often disregards obstacles
Focus
Can shift to new goals
Remains on a specific target
Approach
Strategic planning
Risk-taking and adaptive
Compare with Definitions
Ambitious
Driven by a desire for advancement.
His ambitious nature led him to pursue further education.
Driven
Compelled to act in a certain way to achieve goals.
She was driven by a need to prove herself.
Ambitious
Involving or characterized by ambition.
The project was ambitious and required extensive resources.
Driven
Motivated by a specific goal.
Driven by his passion, he worked tirelessly.
Ambitious
Seeking to achieve high levels of success.
She was ambitious, aiming to become the CEO one day.
Driven
Synonymous with determined.
The driven entrepreneur refused to give up despite setbacks.
Ambitious
Synonymous with aspiring.
The ambitious student sought opportunities for leadership roles.
Driven
Persistent in pursuit of an objective.
His driven approach resulted in many career successes.
Ambitious
Full of, characterized by, or motivated by ambition.
Driven
Characterized by vigorous energy or determination.
The team was driven and focused on the championship.
Ambitious
Greatly desirous; eager
"I am not ambitious of ridicule" (Edmund Burke).
Driven
Past participle of drive.
Ambitious
Requiring or showing much effort; challenging
An ambitious schedule.
Driven
Piled up or carried along by a current
Driven snow.
Ambitious
(of a person or their character) Having or showing ambition; wanting a lot of power, honor, respect, superiority, or other distinction.
An ambitious person
Someone's ambitious nature
Driven
Motivated by or having a compulsive quality or need
A driven person.
Ambitious
(followed by "of" or the infinitive) Very desirous
Driven
Caused, sustained, or stimulated
An export-driven economic recovery.
Ambitious
Resulting from, characterized by, or indicating, ambition
An ambitious project
An ambitious style
An ambitious attempt to take power
An ambitious plan
An ambitious goal
Driven
Powered, operated, or controlled
A piston-driven airplane.
A menu-driven software program.
Ambitious
Hard to achieve.
Driven
Inflection of drive
Ambitious
Possessing, or controlled by, ambition; greatly or inordinately desirous of power, honor, office, superiority, or distinction.
Yet Brutus says he was ambitious,And Brutus is an honorable man.
Driven
Obsessed; passionately motivated to achieve goals.
Ambitious
Strongly desirous; - followed by of or the infinitive; as, ambitious to be or to do something.
I was not ambitious of seeing this ceremony.
Studious of song, and yet ambitious not to sing in vain.
Driven
Formed into snowdrifts by wind.
Ambitious
Springing from, characterized by, or indicating, ambition; showy; aspiring; as, an ambitious style.
A giant statue . . . Pushed by a wild and artless race,From off wide, ambitious base.
Driven
Of Drive. Also adj.
Ambitious
Having a strong desire for success or achievement
Driven
Compelled forcibly by an outside agency;
Mobs goaded by blind hatred
Ambitious
Requiring full use of your abilities or resources;
Ambitious schedule
Performed the most challenging task without a mistake
Driven
Urged or forced to action through moral pressure;
Felt impelled to take a stand against the issue
Ambitious
Having a strong desire for success or achievement.
The young athlete's ambitious goals were admired by her peers.
Driven
Strongly motivated to succeed
Common Curiosities
Is ambition a positive trait?
Ambition is generally seen as positive, driving individuals towards success, but it can be perceived negatively if it leads to unethical behavior.
Can someone be both ambitious and driven?
Yes, a person can be both ambitious and driven, combining broad aspirations with a focused pursuit of specific goals.
What are the typical outcomes for driven individuals?
Driven individuals often achieve their specific targets effectively due to their intense focus and determination.
Which trait is better for leadership roles?
Both traits are valuable in leadership, with ambition useful for setting visions and drive essential for achieving results.
What motivates driven people?
Driven people are often motivated by personal satisfaction, intrinsic desires, or urgent needs.
What defines an ambitious person?
An ambitious person is defined by their desire for personal advancement and achieving high goals.
How does being driven differ from being ambitious?
Being driven focuses on an intense, relentless pursuit to achieve specific objectives, unlike the broader goals of ambitious individuals.
How can ambition be nurtured?
Ambition can be nurtured by setting challenging yet achievable goals and fostering a supportive environment.
How do ambition and drive affect career success?
Both traits can significantly influence career success, with ambition helping to set goals and drive ensuring they are met.
Does ambition always involve career goals?
No, ambition can also relate to personal or educational aspirations, not just career goals.
Are there any risks associated with being too driven?
Being overly driven can lead to burnout, stress, and neglect of personal relationships.
Do ambitious people prioritize competitiveness?
Many ambitious individuals are competitive, striving to outperform their peers or previous achievements.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
