Does Ambition Require Competition? 

Competition and winner-take-all approaches to our careers and life are everywhere. We’re taught competing makes us smarter and better. But what if that’s a lie? What if real confidence, innovation and growth requires us to set aside competition and chose to uncompete?

In this conversation, leadership experts and authors, Ruchika T. Malhotra and Lauren Currie OBE will talk candidly about how an environment that constantly pits people against one leads to burnout and loneliness. Their research shows that competition is particularly harmful to women in the workplace because it impacts women’s ambition, confidence and opportunity.

By illustrating how humans are wired to succeed by working together, the authors will share practical advice to help you reach career and personal success. We can and must shift away from a zero-sum mindset to one of collaboration and solidarity to succeed as individuals, teams, organisations and societies.

Event Schedule

6:15pm: Pre-event socialising and networking
A cash bar will be available for refreshments.

6:30pm: Event begins

7:30pm: Event ends

Speakers

Ruchika T. Malhotra is the author of three books, including the U.S. national bestseller, Uncompete: Rejecting Competition to Unlock Success. She advises organisations on culture and inclusion strategy through her company, Candour. A former business journalist, Ruchika’s writing frequently appears in The New York Times and Harvard Business Review. She created the Uncompete™ framework; grounded in the belief that commercial and personal success requires choosing abundance and collaboration, while intentionally rejecting competition norms. Ruchika is an active investor in various women-founded ventures. She holds degrees from London School of Economics and Columbia University, and now serves on the advisory board for a graduate program at the University of Washington.

Lauren Currie OBE is the Founder and CEO of UPFRONT, a learning organisation known for unlocking talent at scale. Under her leadership, UPFRONT has supported more than 17,000 leaders across 50+ countries, working with organisations including Nike, Just Eat Takeaway, the Ministry of Defence, British Red Cross and Pleo. A bestselling author, speaker and artist, Lauren brings expertise in growth, brand, innovation, leadership and organisational culture. She chaired Pregnant Then Screwed for seven years and was awarded an OBE for services to design and diversity. Her superpower is turning purpose into commercial value.