Business · Companies · 2 hrs ago
McKinsey partner loses leadership role after questioning the ‘glass cliff’
McKinsey partner Chris Bradley was removed from a leadership role in the firm’s global think tank after questioning the “glass cliff” concept.
The term describes women being given leadership jobs during an organisation’s crisis, when failure may be likely.
The columnist says Bradley questioned the idea, not women’s abilities, and argues that challenging a concept should not be treated as mistreating women.
She also questions whether the idea rests on evidence strong enough to make it beyond dispute.
The debate matters because women may take difficult leadership roles that others see as risky, but those roles can also bring valuable experience.
The sources give no details about what happens next for Bradley or the think tank.
McKinsey partner Chris Bradley lost his leadership role at the firm’s global think tank after questioning the concept of the “glass cliff” in a social media discussion.
The concept describes women being given leadership roles when an organisation is in crisis.
The social media conversation has since been deleted.
An SMH opinion columnist criticised McKinsey’s decision and argued that questioning the concept is not the same as disrespecting women.
The article does not include a response from McKinsey or Bradley.
- Who
- Chris Bradley, a McKinsey partner.
- What
- He lost his leadership role in the firm’s global think tank after questioning the “glass cliff” concept.
- When
- The article was published on October 13, 2026; it says the removal happened “this week” but gives no exact date.
- Where
- McKinsey’s global think tank; the location is not stated.
- Why
- The article links his removal to a social media dispute in which he questioned the concept of the “glass cliff.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Bradley questioned the “glass cliff” concept in a social media discussion that was later deleted.
Bradley was removed from his leadership role in McKinsey’s global think tank.
- Partner
- Chris Bradley
- Firm
- McKinsey
- Role
- Leadership position in the firm’s global think tank
- Concept
- Glass cliff” describes women being given leadership roles when an organisation is in crisis
- Publication date
- October 13, 2026
What people are saying
The glass cliff is the idea that women are handed leadership roles only when an organisation is in some kind of crisis and about to tip into the abyss.
As though challenging a concept were the same thing as mistreating or disrespecting women.
Sources
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