From the Glass Ceiling to the Glass Cliff
When Women Are Placed in Power Positions within Failing Companies
Aug 29, 2008
Okay, it was bad enough that women faced a glass ceiling when they attempted to move into higher-level or executive positions within organizations; however, now they are faced with the “glass cliff.”
This term, coined in 2004 by Dr. Michele Ryan and Professor Alex Haslam from the University of Exeter in the U.K., explains a phenomenon whereby women who are able to break through the glass ceiling are actually more likely than men to find themselves in positions of risk at the top. That is, if a company is in crisis, management more often turns to a woman, placing her in a likely position of failure.
In fact, Professor Haslam’s research found that out of 300 people interviewed, when shown resumes for a male and a female candidate, they chose the male candidate when the company was successful and the female candidate when the company was failing.
The “Good Old Boy’s Club” Still Exists
What the team concluded is that there appears to be an “unwritten rule” that says if the company is successful the “old boy’s network” is fine; but as soon as there is trouble, they don’t want to “give the job to their friends,” so a woman is called in. What this does is create a new kind of discrimination toward women.
And while many women were able to come up with examples to support this phenomenon, men continue to deny the existence of any such “glass cliff.” However, research would suggest that it not only exists, but does so across all professions and social groups.
For instance, in the legal profession the tougher cases tend to go to females. The data also revealed that in a recent Scottish election, women were put forward for marginal seats, while only men stood in safe seats.
Women Excel at Handling Crisis
Part of the reason that men defer to women in times of great stress is that women are better suited to handle crisis and are more willing to take risks. In fact, according to a 2005 Caliper study, when women leaders were “overly bound by rules and regulations” they tended to “engage in more risk taking and come up with innovative ideas.”
Some experts say this may be because men and women respond to stress differently. While men may cut and run, a study from the July 2000 issue of Psychological Review reported that females were more likely to deal with stress by "tending and befriending" -- that is, nurturing those around them and reaching out to others.
How to Handle the Glass Cliff
First and foremost, while it may seem like an exciting and challenging opportunity, women should be clear about what they are taking on when offered a captain’s opportunity on a sinking ship.
That being said, a woman who finds herself in a precarious senior position needs to act quickly. Since a crisis typically unfolds rapidly and leaves little time to make a careful and considered response, it is important to stay on top of the situation, rally the troops and to communicate. Whether product recalls or stranded airline customers, crashing stock prices or rising gas prices, keeping people – staff members, the general public, superiors or shareholders – in the loop is essential.
It’s wonderful to break through the glass ceiling. However, the next step may just be even more difficult if not managed properly. That's why it is essential for women to understand their strengths and weaknesses so they are better prepared to handle whatever comes their way.
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