“The glass cliff places women leaders in positions where the probability of failure may already be elevated because of declining performance, organisational instability or inadequate resources…The danger is that organisations may interpret the failure as evidence against women’s leadership rather than examine the circumstances,” said Himani Mishra, Managing Director, Brand Radiator.
A recent controversy at global consulting firm McKinsey & Company has brought back the debate on “glass cliff”. The firm removed senior partner Chris Bradley from leadership roles, including at the McKinsey Global Institute, following an internal review of his online comments questioning the challenges women face in leadership. He remains a senior partner at the firm. The controversy followed a LinkedIn exchange with author Julia Carreon over the concept of the glass cliff.
The episode has reopened a larger debate about gender bias, leadership appointments and the risks women may face when they reach the top.
