We're trained to climb ladders and chase titles, but what if the real metric of career success was the positive impact you have on the world? In this episode from the Hello Monday archives, host Jessi Hempel sits down with Rutger Bregman to explore moral ambition—a framework for building a career based on what positive impact you can have on the world.
Rutger's groundbreaking book, Moral Ambition: How to Stop Wasting Your Talent and Start Making a Difference, is a wake-up call for anyone who's felt something was missing from their work. Whether you're early in your career, questioning your path, or rebuilding after a layoff, this conversation offers a practical roadmap for pivoting toward meaningful work.
In this episode, Jessi and Rutger explore:
What moral ambition is, and why it's the antidote to burnout
Why "follow your passion" is the wrong advice for building a sustainable career
How to shift from success-driven to service-driven work
Which industries funnel talented people into unfulfilling roles, and how to break free
Real-world examples of people solving humanity's biggest problems
How to build coalitions and find collaborators aligned with your values
The hidden cost of prestige, and how to redefine what winning looks like
This episode is a call to action for anyone who wants to do good—and do it well.
Follow Rutger Bregman and Jessi Hempel on LinkedIn
