Despite equal devotion to their work, there is a “notable ambition gap” between men and women, according to a new study by McKinsey and Lean In.
The Women in the Workplace report, which examined data from 124 companies and 9,500 employees, found that 80% of women want to be promoted to the next level, compared to 86% of men.
The gap is widest for employees early in their careers and those at senior levels. Among entry-level employees, just 69% of women want to be promoted vs 80% of men. At the senior level, 84% of women want to advance compared to 92% of their male peers.
The divide seems to be driven less by differences in career dedication than by disparities in career support. The report finds that both men and women are highly motivated and view their career as important. But women are less likely than their male colleagues to have a sponsor at work, to be offered training opportunities, and to receive consistent support from their managers. They are also less likely to be promoted.
It may therefore be unsurprising that the report finds that women are underrepresented in senior leadership, with women holding just 29% of C-suite roles. While the McKinsey study covers corporate America more broadly, other research shows that women are similarly underrepresented in leadership roles in the legal industry. According to a 2024-25 NALP report, women represent a majority (52%) of law firm associates but just 29% of partners.
Women in the Workplace 2025: Key Findings and Takeaways [Lean In]