Shattering Assumptions: Reexamining the “Glass Cliff” through New Data About Women in Leadership

Is the “glass cliff” a myth? New research by Associate Professor Xiaoxiao Li, PhD, and Olivia Pfeiffer ’22 CLAS says yes. Listen as they dive into their groundbreaking findings that challenge the “glass cliff” phenomenon—the idea that women are more likely than men to be appointed to leadership roles in organizations facing crisis or decline. Their discussion unpacks the complexities of leadership selection, organizational context, and the persistence of assumptions in management which have important implications for both policymakers and executive leadership teams.