Of Clare and the Glass Cliff

This morning, I found myself reminiscing about one of my previous bosses who has transformed into one of my dearest friends and a cheerleader in my professional journey.

The story I want to share revolves around a massive project, one so substantial and fraught with the potential for failure that the client decided to enlist the services of a Dubai company to oversee this $4 million venture. Their reasoning was straightforward, as articulated by the CEO of the project client: “Failure puts my own job at risk.” So, we were brought in to take on the challenge and execute the project. To break it down further, the project was segmented into several parts, each assigned to individuals with expertise in specific areas. I found myself managing a portion of the project that aligned with my skills and background at the time, while 5 others were recruited to tackle their respective components. To steer the ship, we had an overall project manager who functioned much like an RTE for those familiar with the SAFe terminology.

Initially, everything seemed to be progressing smoothly. However, for reasons I won’t delve into here, the overall project manager had to step down from their role. When that occurred, I was entrusted with the responsibility of acting as the interim project manager. This promotion came as a result of my demonstrated proactiveness and competence in my previous role, so while the transition was undoubtedly challenging, it wasn’t entirely beyond my capabilities. Suddenly, I found myself balancing my role in my project segment with the intricate task of coordinating the various other parts. It was during this demanding period that I finally dedicated the time and effort to sit for and pass my two PRINCE2 professional certifications, further enhancing my qualifications and skills.

Several months down the line, a significant change occurred as the CEO of the client company departed. The new CEO held the belief that we needed someone with more experience to oversee the evolving scope of the project. Thus, my company looked for, agreed and introduced Clare into the equation. I couldn’t help but feel a tinge of apprehension for her. Working with this client could be exceptionally challenging, and given that we were already 18 months into the project, she had a substantial learning curve to conquer.

At the same time, I was keenly aware of the ‘glass cliff’ theory, which was first proposed by researchers at the University of Exeter, UK, in 2005. This theory suggests that women are more likely to be promoted or placed in top positions during times of crisis, setting them up for potential failure. This, in turn, perpetuates the stereotype that women are incapable leaders. A well-known example of this phenomenon was when Theresa May became the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom during the tumultuous period of Brexit. Promoting women gives companies someone to blame if she fails to pull the company out of its downward spiral. Companies look good when they promote women to leadership roles so even if they fail, the company still earns a reputation of being progressive. If women fail, companies are free to reappoint males to their positions without reproach. Nigeria’s Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala alluded to this a few years ago in her current role at the World Trade Organization. She is the first Director-General of an organization seriously in need of reforms. She did ask for the job, so she has to do all she can for the female folk coming behind.

Thus, it was with Clare’s appointment. I understood the importance of us working closely together. I needed to provide her with a comprehensive understanding of the content and context of everything we had accomplished thus far.

And boy, did she deliver?

We have both moved on from that company, and of course, Clare is balling at a higher level now, and I could not be more proud of what we achieved together. Just this week, she recommended me for a short-term consultancy role, and having her advocate for me as “Super Star Tosin. My deputy. All-round excellence” is the kind of endorsement that brings a smile to your face as you navigate through the bustling traffic of life.

Clare’s charisma and leadership played an outsized role in the success of the project. It’s undoubtedly one of the standout moments in my career.

Recently, as I’ve been immersed in a ghostwriting project on leadership, I couldn’t help but reflect on this brilliant woman who steered the ship and made all of us appear better than we truly were. She reinforced our belief that gender equality in leadership isn’t merely a gesture toward the opposite gender but a boon to us all.

When we sense a glass cliff, it is left to us not to make it turn into a self-fulfilling prophecy.