For Black women in leadership, the “glass cliff” is an all-too-familiar phenomenon. It describes the precarious positions many women—and particularly Black women—find themselves in when stepping into leadership roles during times of crisis. These high-stakes roles often carry disproportionate risk and scrutiny, yet Black women leaders continue to transform these challenges into platforms for meaningful impact.
Against the backdrop of Kamala Harris’s loss in the 2024 Presidential Election, the realities of the glass cliff are stark. Harris’s tenure as Vice President was historic and groundbreaking, but her defeat underscores the heightened pressures and systemic inequities Black women face in leadership. Yet her career, and those of other Black women leaders, highlights how setbacks can become catalysts for transformative change.
Here’s how Black women navigate the glass cliff and reshape leadership in their own image.
Understand the Terrain
Stepping into a leadership role during a crisis requires awareness of the landscape. Glass cliff positions are inherently high-risk, and understanding the dynamics at play is essential for crafting a strategy to succeed.
Lisa Borders, former President of the WNBA, led during a pivotal time for the league. Her ability to navigate internal challenges while advocating for the growth of women’s sports exemplifies the strategic awareness required in glass cliff scenarios.
How can you assess the conditions of your leadership role and position yourself for success despite systemic challenges?
Build Resilient Networks
Navigating leadership challenges often requires the support of a trusted network. Mentors, advisors, and allies provide critical guidance, validation, and resources to help navigate high-pressure situations.
Stacey Abrams demonstrates the power of community and coalition-building. Through initiatives like Fair Fight Action, she has shown how a strong network can amplify a leader’s vision and create a lasting impact. Abrams’s ability to build grassroots support highlights the importance of collaboration.
Cultivate relationships with mentors, peers, and advocates who share your vision and can provide critical insights.
Lead Authentically
Authenticity is a powerful tool in leadership. For Black women, leading authentically means leveraging your lived experiences and unique perspectives to connect with others and create transformative change.
Thasunda Brown Duckett, CEO of TIAA, exemplifies authentic leadership by using her platform to address systemic inequities in wealth and retirement access for marginalized communities. Her leadership demonstrates how authenticity can inspire trust and drive equitable solutions.
How can your lived experiences shape your leadership strategy to inspire and connect with those you serve?
Prioritize Your Well-Being
The demands of high-risk leadership roles can be overwhelming, making self-care and boundaries essential for long-term success. Thriving in these roles requires prioritizing your mental and physical health.
Bozoma Saint John, former Chief Marketing Officer of Netflix, speaks openly about protecting her well-being while balancing personal authenticity and professional demands. Her approach shows that wellness is a critical leadership strategy.
Identify areas where you can delegate or streamline tasks to maintain focus and sustainability.
Advocate for Structural Change
Leadership roles during crises often provide a platform to challenge systemic inequities. Glass cliff positions offer an opportunity to dismantle barriers and pave the way for future leaders.
Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett, a leading immunologist who developed the COVID-19 vaccine, has used her platform to address healthcare disparities. Her leadership is an example of using high-stakes roles to drive systemic change.
How can you use your leadership position to challenge inequities and create opportunities for others?
Redefine Success
Traditional metrics of success don’t always apply in glass cliff scenarios. Instead of focusing solely on outcomes, redefine success by prioritizing long-term impact and systemic change.
Cynthia Marshall, CEO of the Dallas Mavericks, inherited an organization in crisis and transformed it into a model for diversity, equity, and inclusion. Her focus on creating sustainable cultural change highlights how success can be redefined as leaving a lasting legacy.
Align your definition of success with your values and the changes you want to create.
The Glass Cliff and Beyond
The challenges of the glass cliff are undeniable, but Black women continue to redefine leadership, turning precarious roles into platforms for transformation. Kamala Harris’s journey, along with those of leaders like Stacey Abrams, Thasunda Brown Duckett, and Lisa Borders, highlights the resilience, vision, and innovation Black women bring to leadership.
By understanding the terrain, building networks, and advocating for change, Black women leaders are reshaping what leadership looks like—for themselves and for future generations.