Why Women Land Top Jobs in Struggling Organisations – They May Be Better in a Crisis
Women often bring leadership approaches that can significantly help organisations facing challenges. Across businesses, political movements, and even nations, more women are stepping into top executive roles. While this progress seems wholly positive, many of these positions come with instability and heightened risk, circumstances that might discourage male counterparts.
High-Profile Examples
- Sarah Mullally, incoming Archbishop of Canterbury and the first woman to lead the Church of England, steps into a post shadowed by controversy.
- Sanae Takaichi, Japan’s first female prime minister and the fourth in five years, inherits economic stagnation, rising inflation, and an aging population.
- Carly Fiorina took the helm at Hewlett-Packard during the collapse of the tech bubble.
- Mary Barra became CEO of General Motors just before a major product recall.
- In the UK, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch assumed leadership amid political and economic uncertainty.
The "Glass Cliff" Phenomenon
Nearly twenty years ago, researchers identified a trend known as the “glass cliff,” describing how women are more often appointed to leadership roles in times of crisis. This pattern reveals that women frequently face riskier and less stable opportunities at the top.
Recent Research Findings
Despite longstanding recognition of this pattern, few studies have examined the direct experiences and viewpoints of women who lead in such circumstances. To address this, a recent study conducted in 2023 and 2024 interviewed 33 women in senior leadership roles to explore how they navigate organisational crises.
“Our study conducted in-depth interviews with 33 women in senior leadership positions in 2023 and 2024.”
Author’s Summary
Women often rise to leadership during crises, and their ability to manage under pressure may explain why they excel in challenging organisational climates.