I see this trope all the time i‘m just going to use Zootopia and Hoppers as an example as they came out recently.
It really annoys me when a show dresses up being selfish and careless as ‘ambitious‘ and ’determined.’ or otherwise doesn’t adequately address this flaw.
Zootopia 2 the police come up with a plan to catch a smuggler but instead Judy and Nick decide they are better than everyone else and ignore multiple people telling them no and stop and it causes a huge crash.
Likewise, in Hoppers Mabel ignores what everyone tells her. For example the scientists whose technology she is using and the animals whose land she is invading. In doing so she causes huge problems.
Now a retort might be that this is just how conflict and drama work. A character flaw getting a character intro trouble is basic storytelling. However, what irritates me is that this flaw isn’t given nearly enough attention.
In Zootopia the only reflection is given to how Judy and Nick don’t listen to each other. They do not reflect on their selfishness as it concerns others. Especially when that selfishness endangers others.
Same with Mabel. Near the end of the film there is a line of “I used King George :(“ and that’s fine, but she also used everyone. This isn’t just a problem with respect to King George but everyone Mabel interacts with.
I find it frustrating because I think it’s a serious character flaw but I don’t think it’s often addressed. I think sometimes it’s swept with “ambition” or “independence.” I think it’s a bugbear for me because I also hate it when I see it in real life.
addendum: I actually like both these films (especially Hoppers) I just dislike this trope and always roll my eyes at it. Despite my two examples it’s not just a kid’s animation thing it’s common in lots of different pieces of media I just cannot recall them at the moment.