First the glass ceiling, now the glass cliff...
Hustle Crew
Talks & training to increase inclusion. Clients include NHS, Soundcloud, Resident Advisor. Founded in 2016 by Abadesi
In this week’s email
“History is a commentary on the various and continuing incapabilities of men. What is history? History is women following behind with the bucket*.”
The History Boys by Alan Bennett, 2004?
No one wants to be the captain of a sinking ship. Titanic taught us that much. Unluckily for women, men are very good at passing the buck (or ‘bucket’ - thanks Bennett) to women during times of crisis, especially in the business world. Say hello to the ‘glass cliff’, a close cousin of the ‘glass ceiling’ - both of whom we’d avoid at family gatherings.?
‘The glass cliff’ signals a situation in which women in business are, essentially, set up to fail e.g. when women are promoted to positions of power during times of trouble.
Ironically, this makes the women in question powerless to the inevitable decline of the business. It’s almost like they’re ushered to stand on the edge of a cliff. If it all goes wrong, they tumble off. Sigh.?
It’s a win-win for men in high positions as it makes the company look good. Even if the woman in question fails, the business is still considered progressive. No matter how decorated or established their career may be, women in all walks of life are consistently undervalued and used as scapegoats.
The question is, how can modern businesses help women succeed? And how can ambitious women avoid the glass cliff where possible? Here are a few pointers on how to keep your female employees firmly on land…
Invest in all women: Research shows that women of colour and ethnic minorities are even more likely to encounter the glass cliff. Even (our queen and saviour) Beyoncé. The audacity - we know. Businesses need to put measures in place to ensure that all women, trans women included, have everything they need to seamlessly progress. Putting funding behind women-specific development schemes can help prevent the glass cliff from happening and avoid entrenched biases filtering through.
Negotiate your salary: Did you know that men are four times more likely to question their salaries than women? Entering a male-dominated environment as a uniquely skilled woman can be difficult, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t push for a salary that aligns with your skillset.? Before agreeing to the first sum that’s offered to you, try to negotiate where you can.?
Find your allies: Forging friendships with like-minded leaders is very important - so understanding the makeup of the company you’re joining is essential. Befriend co-workers who can vouch for your abilities and offer you constructive advice when you need it. Surround yourself with a network of peers who see your worth - having friends in high places is never a bad thing.?
For more information on how to combat the glass cliff, visit our Insights page.
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