When you break the glass ceiling only to find yourself on a precarious “glass cliff”—promoted into high-risk leadership roles during an organizational crisis—you must act strategically. Do your due diligence by negotiating resources, building alliances, and clearly defining success metrics. If the risk is unmanageable, know that it is completely acceptable to walk away.
1. Perform Rigorous Due Diligence
Before fully committing to a crisis-level role, evaluate the exact parameters of the challenge.
- Assess the Company’s Health: Review the true scope of the organizational decline, financial strain, or operational failure.
- Consult Stakeholders: Speak directly with hiring managers, executive sponsors, and team members to uncover the root causes of the emergency.
- Leverage the Evaluation Window: Request a 2 to 4-week window to conduct this assessment before signing your contract or transition documents.
2. Negotiate Non-Negotiable Resources
Do not accept a crisis role without the explicit tools required to fix it.
- Define Concrete Metrics: Establish clear, measurable performance indicators, timelines, and budgets with leadership.
- Secure Upfront Buy-In: Demand the authority, headcount, and budget you need to achieve your goals. Avoid taking on responsibility if you are denied the resources to match.
- Factor in the Risk Premium: Ensure your compensation, severance package, or contract terms reflect the high-risk nature of a turnaround position.
3. Build a Protective Support Network
Leading through a crisis requires strategic alliances to protect your reputation.
- Find Sponsors and Mentors: Rely on external advisors, mentors, and executive sponsors who can provide objective perspectives.
- Control the Narrative: Proactively communicate your strategic plans to key stakeholders (investors, media, boards) to manage expectations and minimize market speculation.
- Advocate for Systemic Change: Use your current level of seniority to implement objective performance evaluations and fair sponsorship pipelines for the women advancing behind you.
4. Know When to Say No
If the company is treating you as a scapegoat rather than a saviour, prioritize your career longevity.
- Assess Set-Up for Failure: If success is impossible due to a lack of resources or uncommitted stakeholders, acknowledge that you are on a predestined glass cliff.
- Exercise Your Power to Walk Away: Turning down a predatory employment opportunity is often far better for your long-term reputation than accepting a role where failure is the only outcome.
