The Glass Cliff: When a Promotion Can Feel Like Getting Set Up to Fail

When Kathleen McElroy was offered a chance to head Texas A&M University’s journalism school this past spring, it seemed the culmination of a lifetime spent in journalism and education – and a significant achievement for the school’s president, M. Katherine Banks.

But negotiations broke down, McElroy declined the position – and Banks, only the second woman president in TAMU’s history, resigned her position in June in the wake of the failed hire.

For women who break through the “glass ceiling” into leadership positions, that victory could signal the start of another battle – the one to hold that position, especially if the company is struggling or caught up in volatile conditions.

It’s called the “glass cliff”: Women being placed in leadership positions without sufficient preparation or adequate support. And it can be a particular risk for Black women, largely due to unsupportive leaders and no path for organizational advancement.

What are the warning signs of a glass cliff?

Obviously, not every woman breaking through the glass ceiling is bound to find herself on a glass cliff. However, before saying “Yes” to that promotion, there are some warning signs to look for:

• Promotion without prior mentoring: Anyone thrust into a leadership position without first undergoing at least one thorough mentorship program is in for a rough go. This signals a lack of interest in preparing the new leader for that role, which in turn indicates indifference as to whether someone succeeds or fails.
• Potential for isolation: If there are no other women in leadership positions, the new leader can find herself without a support network. If this is the case, it’s imperative to build that network with other women in similar situations.
• Promotion on short notice: This is closely related to the warning sign of being promoted without proper mentoring. The danger of winding up on a glass cliff is greatly multiplied if the promotion happens while the company is in decline or in the midst of a crisis.
• Unrealistically high expectations: This is an especial risk for new CEOs. Companies in freefall are desperate, and if they don’t get immediate positive results, the impulse can be to make yet another change at the top without giving a new leader time and support to make any needed changes.
• Significant change in the offer: This happened in McElroy’s case, where the offer of a tenured position was amended to one without tenure. McElroy, who is Black, blamed outside pressure from those who didn’t like her race or history of promoting DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) efforts, and ultimately rejected the position.

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Even if there are no red flags going in, other negative indicators can show up after a promotion is announced and implemented.

These can be even more troublesome, because of the surprise factor – as Banks discovered after the failed attempt to bring McElroy on board. DEI efforts, while necessary for a healthy and inclusive organization, have sharply divided the culture along political lines, and both women found themselves caught up in that storm.

Negative public reaction is just one after-the-fact red flag to consider. For instance, a female leader in an unexpected “glass cliff” situation also might face internal struggles, either a passive lack of support or outright opposition from others – especially if internal candidates passed over for promotion, people who are now her subordinates, dismiss her as a “quota” or “diversity hire” and work to undermine her.

Ultimately, the choice of whether or not to accept a promotion – even with visible cautionary signals – lies with the person being offered the role. It is possible for female executives to thrive when thrust into challenging situations; however, it’s always best to have as much information as possible if you’re a woman stepping into any leadership role. It’s best to formulate a contingency plan, as quickly as possible, if there’s even a remote possibility of smashing through that glass ceiling, only to find yourself at the edge of the cliff.

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