Moral Ambition: Rutger Bregman's Challenge to Redirect Our Talents
Watch this compelling conversation between Rutger Bregman and Jon Stewart first, it's 17 minutes that might transform your perspective on professional purpose:
Then I recommend reading his book "Moral Ambition."
Having read the Dutch version after his previous "Humankind" (which felt like comfortable reassurance), I was struck by how this book confronts us with a refreshingly uncomfortable question: what are we doing with our talents? As Bregman himself admits to Stewart, "If my previous book was like a warm hug, then this is a cold shower, a refreshing cold shower."
The Talent Misdirection Problem
Bregman defines it with compelling clarity: "Moral Ambition is the combination of two things. It's the idealism of an activist on the one hand, and the ambition of an entrepreneur." He describes it as "the desire to stand on the right side of history before it is fashionable, and to really devote your career, your precious time on this Earth, to make this world a much better place."
Bregman pinpoints what he calls "the Bermuda Triangle of talent" – consultancy, corporate law, and finance – which he describes as "this gaping black hole that sucks up so many talented people who should actually work on these big problems."
And perhaps the most cringe-worthy category of all – that would be me in my previous life – are those Silicon Valley tech-optimists building addictive apps while claiming to 'make the world a better place' (and coincidentally making fortunes).
Bregman's dismissal of corporate social responsibility theater resonates strongly. When Stewart asks about ESG investing, Bregman doesn't hesitate: "It's nonsense... a thin layer of corporate responsibility over a corrupt, broken business model."
As someone working in impact investing, this challenges me to ensure my work creates genuine value rather than merely soothing conscience.
Moral Ambition in Practice
Since transitioning from the tech world to impact investing and forest management, I find these questions regularly circling in my mind: Is my current work meaningful enough? Have I lost my entrepreneurial drive? Or am I simply becoming more comfortable with age?
Participating in a Moral Ambition circle with neighboring entrepreneurs has helped me explore these tensions. Our discussions emphasize that meaningful impact doesn't require dramatic gestures, but rather thoughtful application of our skills and networks.
While working in my forest, observing biodiversity challenges firsthand, I'm constantly reminded of Bregman's most practical insight: "Especially people who have some privilege, whether it's talent, wealth, or your network, use it. People on the left often say, 'check your privilege.' Yes, check it. And then use it."
Why This Book Matters Now
The value of "Moral Ambition" lies in its practical framework for redirecting our professional capabilities toward genuine impact. Unlike typical self-help or sustainability literature, Bregman offers:
A clear articulation of how systems change through individual talent shifts
Evidence-based arguments for why talent redistribution is as important as wealth redistribution
Practical pathways for professionals questioning their impact
A refreshing antidote to corporate social responsibility theater
From Reflection to Action
My participation in Bregman's School of Moral Ambition has provided a framework for addressing my questions about tech, ambition and impact. These conversations inspired my podcast series, where I explore these tensions with others navigating similar questions.
Three steps I recommend for anyone intrigued by this approach:
Watch Bregman's conversation with Jon Stewart
Read "Moral Ambition" to understand the framework
Visit www.moralambition.org to explore practical opportunities
Are you among the 25% who consider their work socially meaningless? Is redirecting talent as crucial as redistributing wealth? And how do you balance ambition with contentment in your own work?