Promotions leading women to precarious positions are not a novel occurrence. However, they have once again grabbed attention following the announcement of Sussan Ley as the new head of the Liberal Party on Tuesday.
As the Deputy Leader, Ley was clearly the top pick. The issue lies in the timing; putting her in charge now is like handing over the reins as the party hits rock bottom. She must tackle this challenging situation and sort out the turmoil.
Certain political observers are drawing parallels to a "glass cliff" advancement.
"As the cousin of the glass ceiling for women in the workplace, the term 'glass cliff' was described by journalist Patricia Karvelas," she said. ABC's Politics Now podcast.
When everything goes awry and situations become dire, you typically call upon a woman to set things right, only for her to face the backlash. This phenomenon is known as the glass cliff.
Watch: First-Person View: You Mastered Emailing Like a Man. The post continues below.
This isn't limited to politics alone. Glass cliffs occur in corporate boardrooms, nonprofits, startups, everywhere.
Simply inquire with Amy*, who has encountered one personally.
Amy mentioned she had been with the company for many years, consistently delivering strong performance and achieving great outcomes, yet remaining relatively unnoticed. .
When they presented me with this significant leadership position, I was both surprised and thrilled to be recognized. It seemed like a major victory. I immediately contacted my partner and purchased an exceptionally pricey bottle of wine to mark the occasion.
Amy, who continues her career in the same field, transferred to another division, joined a fresh group of colleagues, and aimed to demonstrate her capabilities. However, something seemed amiss right from the beginning.
The transition process wasn’t adequate. The group I was joining experienced frequent staff changes. Spirits were down. Individuals were exhausted, with deadlines being missed consistently for several months, and a key client was close to terminating our contract.
What began as recognition for her dedication and effort slowly transformed into something different altogether.
“I recall thinking, ‘What have I gotten myself into?’ At that time, I wasn’t familiar with the concept of a 'glass cliff,' but a friend remarked that they might be positioning me for failure. Looking back now, their comment appears quite prescient.”
It all became more transparent, yet also more unsightly, from that point onward.
I didn't receive any backing. Every time I asked for extra resources, my requests were turned down. When I began advocating for more significant organizational alterations, which were evidently necessary, I was continually advised to focus solely on stabilizing the team at present.
The thing that hurt the most was how increasingly artificial it began to seem.
"As though it were a cursed cup," Amy said. Having a prominent woman at the helm improved how the public perceived the company. However, beneath the surface, chaos prevailed.
The strain seeped into her personal life as well. Amy started waking up in the dead of night plagued by anxiety. Eventually, her partner spoke up about it.
Amy remembered him looking at her and asking, "'Is the additional money truly worth this? You seem so unhappy.'" That moment made her realize she needed to go, as it simply wasn’t worthwhile.
All together, Amy stayed in the position for eight months prior to her departure. Currently, she has become more cautious regarding specific prospects and can spot the "warning signs" to be aware of.
A significant issue arises when organisations emphasise diversity in their public relations materials, yet upon examining the leadership team, it remains predominantly composed of familiar faces. Another problem occurs when these entities claim to seek ‘new perspectives’ without being able to identify even one procedure they intend to modify.
For Amy, it's not that women, or any under-represented group, "can't lead in tough times".
She stated, 'We can, and we do.' However, if this is the sole instance where you allow us to take charge, it indicates a more significant problem.
“And if you’re handing over the keys to a blazing building, you’d better stand right next to them with a fire extinguisher. Otherwise, it’s merely a distraction.”
The risk associated with the glass cliff is that it masquerades as an opportunity. It provides visibility, accountability, and a semblance of advancement; however, it lacks the necessary support systems and conducive environments required for achieving success.
And when everything eventually falls apart, it's the individual standing at the edge of the cliff who ends up taking the tumble.
Feature Image: Getty
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