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What Is the Glass Cliff and Why Does It Impact Women Leaders?
“Congratulations! You’ve just been promoted…to a leadership crisis.”
That’s the scenario too many women in leadership find themselves in. The title is shiny. The stakes are high. And the situation? Often a mess. Welcome to the Glass Cliff…a term coined to describe the unsettling reality that women are more likely to be placed in leadership roles during times of turbulence, decline or flat-out failure. It’s a promotion yes…but one perched on shaky ground.
I’ve seen it in every industry-from healthcare to finance, tech to education. Women are brought in to “fix it.” To be the turnaround queen. The steady hand. The change agent. But they’re rarely given the resources, support or grace period to succeed. And when things fall apart, as they often do, they’re seen as the failure. Not the system. Not the circumstances. Them…
Sound familiar?
How to Turn a Crisis Leadership Role Into a Career Advantage
Here’s the truth: The Glass Cliff is real. But so is your power to navigate it.
Let’s get something clear: being chosen to lead in crisis is not a failure. It’s evidence of your strength. It means someone saw your resilience, your presence, your ability to steady the storm. The problem is not you. The problem is that too often, you’re handed the wheel of a sinking ship and expected to sail it into calm waters without a crew.
But here’s the opportunity…when you know the pattern, you can prepare for it. You can ask better questions before saying yes. You can negotiate for support. You can bring your own network of allies. You can rewrite the script.
Years ago, a client of mine, a woman with decades of experience, was offered a top position in a department that was on the verge of collapse. She was flattered. Then she was furious. Why now? Why her? We worked through her hesitation, her worth and most importantly, her terms. She said yes, but…she built a team. She demanded a budget. She made sure the expectations were clear. And guess what? That department not only stabilized, but it also thrived. And so did she.
This is what it looks like to turn the Glass Cliff into a platform.
Practical Strategies for Navigating the Glass Cliff Successfully
If you’ve ever accepted a leadership role and felt like you were set up to fail, you’re not alone. But your also not stuck. The key is being strategic, not just grateful Being bold, not just brave. And remembering that you’re not lucky to be chosen…you’re ready to lead.
Ask yourself:
- What are the conditions of the opportunity I’m saying yes to?
- Who do I need in my corner before I step in?
- What support will I require to succeed?
Because the Glass Cliff isn’t a reason to step down. It’s a reason to rise…on your terms.
You weren’t chosen because you were the only one left. You were chosen because you bring something powerful to the table. So don’t tiptoe. Take up space. Lead from solid ground.
And if you’ve already walked the Glass Cliff? Let it sharpen your vision, not shake your worth.
Your leadership isn’t fragile.
It’s forged.
Want help navigating high-stakes leadership moments with clarity and confidence?
Let’s connect.