For decades, women in leadership have been fighting to shatter the “glass ceiling” – the invisible barrier preventing them from ascending to the highest echelons of power. It’s the battle cry for equality, a war pursued in boardrooms, corner offices, and conference stages. But what happens after that glass ceiling is shattered?
Enter the glass cliff, a sinister phenomenon that places women in leadership roles during times of turmoil, where the odds of failure are stacked against them. If the glass ceiling is about keeping women out, the glass cliff is about setting them up to fall.
Glass Ceiling vs. Glass Cliff: The Subtle, Dangerous Shift
While the glass ceiling symbolizes the systemic barriers that block women from reaching top leadership positions, the glass cliff emerges when women finally break through, only to find themselves stepping into precarious, high-risk roles.
Here’s the setup: organizations often turn to women leaders during crises, betting on their ability to “fix” unfixable problems. It’s a seductive offer wrapped in the guise of progress: “See, we’re promoting diversity!” But beneath the surface lies a ticking time bomb.
When failure looms (as it often does in crisis-driven scenarios), women leaders bear the brunt of the fallout, reinforcing damaging stereotypes and stalling their career trajectories.
The Anatomy of the Glass Cliff
Let’s break it down:
- Crisis Management Overload: Women are disproportionately chosen to lead when the stakes are high – i.e., failing companies, struggling teams, or volatile markets. Success is not impossible but far less likely.
- Lack of Support: These roles often come with limited resources, inadequate mentorship, and heightened scrutiny, making the climb even steeper.
- Scapegoating: When the dust settles, women in glass cliff roles are frequently blamed for failures set in motion long before they arrived.
Why Should You Care?
This isn’t just another academic theory – it’s a wake-up call. If you’re a woman gunning for leadership, the glass cliff is a reality you might face. And if you’re already in a leadership role, it’s time to recognize and dismantle this pattern. By allowing organizations to perpetuate the glass cliff, we’re not just harming individual careers but undermining the broader fight for equity and sustainable leadership.
Break the Cycle, Don’t Be the Pawn
- Spot the Red Flags: Before accepting a leadership role, assess the landscape. Is this an opportunity to lead, or are you being set up to take the fall?
- Demand Resources: Leadership is not a solo act. Advocate for the tools, teams, and systems you need to succeed.
- Call Out the Pattern: If you see organizations consistently placing women in crisis roles, don’t stay silent. This isn’t progress; it’s exploitation.
- Redefine Leadership Terms: Organizations must commit to placing women in leadership roles not because the ship is sinking but because they are the best captains for the job.
Now is The Time to Act
The glass ceiling and glass cliff are only two facets of the hidden obstacles female leaders might face. It’s time to go beyond shattering barriers and redesign the system entirely. If you’re tired of playing on a rigged board, step up, speak out, and refuse to be a token or a scapegoat.
We’re not here to fix a broken system. We’re here to disrupt, rebuild, and make it work for us.
