What is the glass cliff?

The glass cliff is a term that refers to the phenomenon in which women face a disadvantage in their careers when they are put in high-risk, high-profile positions. Evidence suggests that these positions are often more precarious and offer less opportunity for success.

The glass cliff has had a significant impact on the careers of women in many industries. Although women are sometimes appointed to these roles as a way to show that the company is committed to diversity, they are more likely to be accused of not getting results fast enough or fail and be blamed for the failure. This can lead to a decrease in opportunities for future advancement.

What can be done to avoid career ruin?

While there is no one definitive answer to avoiding the glass cliff, there are several things that can be done to increase the chances of success for those appointed to high-risk positions. Organizations should take steps to identify and assess the risk associated with potential appointments, identify and groom diverse candidates for high-profile roles, and create a supportive environment that allows individuals who have fallen off the glass cliff to recover without penalty.

It has also been suggested that organizations should focus on improving the cultural fit of potential managers and leaders, examining the extent to which they can be effective in leading teams. In addition to the specific skills, organizations should assess their people on the basis of emotional intelligence, or how well they can relate to people and motivate them. This is based on the ability to recognize and use emotional information, as well as assess and manage emotions.

Meredith Wood details seven steps women can take avoid falling off the glass cliff.

Know your numbers and details.

Armed with statistics and facts, you will have a competitive advantage. Stay up to date on industry trends and company insights so you know the exact level of risk.

Include risk in your salary negotiations.

Think about the fact that you pay mortgage and car insurance monthly, semimonthly, or annually. And you don’t get the money back if you don’t have an accident. Why? The insurance companies say that you are paying them for assuming the risk that something will happen. Therefore, identify your worth, especially when the risk level is high. Men are about four times more likely than women to ask for a raise. Get compensated well if you are going to take a high-risk position.

Define success BEFORE you accept the position.

Have your performance standards set to decide whether they are reasonable and can be met. Women tend to be more scrutinized. Sometimes the male before you got more leniency than you will get. After all women CEOs are 45% to be fired then male CEOs.

Use your unique position to your advantage.

Women are more likely to prevail over their male counterparts in emotional intelligence categories. Women are more effective than men on problem-solving aptitude and are typically seen as more inspiring. THOSE ARE SECRET WEAPONS – USE THEM!

This goes without saying: Believe in yourself.

Be a DECISIVE DECISION MAKER. Ensure that you are swiftly making decisions with confidence. No overthinking and doubting or second guessing yourself. When you are a decisive executive, leader, or manager you are typically seen as high performing and trustworthy.

Build your network.

Having reliable colleagues in varying departments will provide you more perspective when evaluating a promotion. When possible don’t accept a proposal in a silo. And finally…

Do not be afraid to walk away.

WHY? Because when women CEOs are ousted, they may not make it the c-suite of another organization. Despite having a record that has proven worthwhile in her career. In organizations men that make mistakes are judged by their potential to do better. He’s just learning. However, women who make mistakes will be accused of not having been prepared enough in the first place. Vote with your feet and say no!

Final thoughts on the glass cliff phenomenon and how to avoid it.

The glass cliff phenomenon is when women are disproportionately appointed to positions of leadership during times of crisis or risky jobs. Research has shown that these appointments are more likely to lead to failure. Sometimes its the lack of support while you are in a position that causes women to fall off the glass cliff. Leadership knew going in, that the role was a difficult one, and the company stepped back and was willing to let the woman swim or sink on her own. Rather than offering support and guidance.

Get armed with these seven steps to avoid the glass cliff.

Twanna Carter, Ph.D., Career Transition Coach. I help high achieving professional women who are anxious about transitioning into a new career, have absolute confidence and belief in their own abilities, so they can communicate their unique value, honor their true purpose, and boldly pursue their dream career.

Follow my LinkedIn, Instagram, Youtube, and Medium accounts here.

Click below to watch my Youtube video about how to avoid falling off the glass cliff.

Curated Reads: Essential Books to Add to Your Personal Library 

• Melaninated Magic: 180 Affirmations to Nurture Your Soul and Unleash Your Black Girl Joy by Twanna Carter, PhD
• Sacred Rest: Recover Your Life, Renew Your Energy, Restore Your Sanity by Saundra Dalton-Smith, MD
• I’m Not Yelling: A Black Woman’s Guide to Navigating the Workplace (Successful Black Business Women), Elizabeth Leiba.
• Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High by Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillan, and Al Switzler.
• Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion by Robert B. Cialdini.
• How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie.
• Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead by Sheryl Sandberg.
• Dare to Lead by Brene Brown.
• The Memo, by Minda Harts.
• Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones, by James Clear
• Worthy: How to Believe You Are Enough and Transform Your Life, by Jamie Kern Lima
• 33 Tools to Remake Your Career by Paul Gabriel Dionne

Read my latest blogs…

• 
  Why Imposter Syndrome Hits Hardest at the Top. Especially for Black Women Execs
  Imposter Syndrome Hits Hard Ever walked into a C-suite meeting and felt like you were wearing someone else’s shoes. Waiting for someone to call you out, even though you’ve earned your seat at the table? If you’re a Black woman executive, you probably know this… Read more: Why Imposter Syndrome Hits Hardest at the Top. Especially for Black Women Execs
• 
  Why Executive Coaching Works for Black Women Executives
  How the Thrive Beyond Survival V.I.P. Framework™ Creates the Shift from Stuck to Thriving “You’ve checked every box. Degrees. Promotions. Leadership roles. Yet… you still feel stuck, silenced, and stretched too thin.” If that hits close to home, you’re not alone.For far too many high-achieving… Read more: Why Executive Coaching Works for Black Women Executives
• 
  3 Mistakes Executives Make During a Career Pivot
  Let’s Get Real: Why This Matters Making a career pivot as an executive isn’t just about updating your job title or adding a shiny new certification to LinkedIn. It’s about rewriting your narrative from the inside out. Whether you’re stepping out of the C-suite, moving… Read more: 3 Mistakes Executives Make During a Career Pivot
• 
  7 Signs You’re Still Leading From Survival Mode
    If you’re a high-achieving Black woman executive, you’ve probably mastered the art of the juggle, leading teams, making tough calls, and holding it down for your family. But let’s be honest: sometimes, even with those wins, you feel like you’re running on fumes. Maybe… Read more: 7 Signs You’re Still Leading From Survival Mode
• 
  What If Your Career Wasn’t Meant to Be This Hard?
  7 Thought-Shifting Prompts to Help You Discover the Work You’re Meant For You know that quiet ache that shows up on Sunday nights? The way your stomach tightens when you think about Monday morning… again? You’ve done everything right in your career.Checked all the boxes.Earned… Read more: What If Your Career Wasn’t Meant to Be This Hard?
• 
  Why Boundaries Are the Richest Thing You Can Build This Year
  Wealth Isn’t Just About Your Bank Account When you hear the word “rich,” what pops into your mind? Diamond necklaces? Stock portfolios? That one aunt’s mysterious vacation house? We’re conditioned to equate wealth with dollars and digits. But what if I told you boundaries, yes,… Read more: Why Boundaries Are the Richest Thing You Can Build This Year
• 
  Are You Really Being Too Much, Or Just Being Seen?
  Have you ever felt the need to shrink yourself at work or in social spaces, just to avoid being labeled as “being too much”? Maybe you’ve been told you’re too outspoken, too confident, too ambitious, or simply too visible. For many Black women and other… Read more: Are You Really Being Too Much, Or Just Being Seen?
• 
  Career Shift? These 9 Transferable Skills Resources Are Game-Changers
  As an executive-level professional aiming for a strategic career pivot, knowing your transferable skills isn’t just beneficial, it’s essential. Transferable skills are abilities you carry from one job to another, vital for succeeding across various roles and industries. For senior-level executives, clearly identifying and articulating… Read more: Career Shift? These 9 Transferable Skills Resources Are Game-Changers
• 
  You Need a Hustle Detox. Not Another Planner.
  Are you tired of buying yet another planner, hoping THIS one will finally fix your chaos? You know the drill: glossy cover, color-coded tabs, promises of productivity magic. But a few weeks in, you’re still overwhelmed, exhausted, and drowning in to-dos. The truth? It’s not… Read more: You Need a Hustle Detox. Not Another Planner.
• 
  The 5 Core Values Every Black Woman Executive Should Define Before Her Next Career Move
  Have you ever felt overwhelmed by opportunities, yet unsure which path truly fits your ambitions, identity, and well-being? If you’re a Black woman executive ready for your next career move, now is the time to get strategic and clear. The key? Defining your non-negotiable core… Read more: The 5 Core Values Every Black Woman Executive Should Define Before Her Next Career Move
• 
  How to Protect Yourself from Being Managed Out – The Ultimate Survival Playbook for Black Women Executives
    You walk into the Monday morning meeting, coffee in hand, feeling ready to tackle the week. But something’s off. The room feels colder. Your input is brushed off. Projects you once led are handed elsewhere. Uh-oh! Is it just your imagination? Or is this… Read more: How to Protect Yourself from Being Managed Out – The Ultimate Survival Playbook for Black Women Executives
• 
  What Your Inner Critic Is Really Costing You. And How to Take Back Control
  Have you ever replayed a single mistake in your mind for days, doubted your abilities before a big meeting, or hesitated to ask for a raise because you weren’t “ready”? That relentless voice in your head, your inner critic, might feel like it’s keeping you… Read more: What Your Inner Critic Is Really Costing You. And How to Take Back Control