Navigating the Glass Cliff
“Black women were on medication—mostly anxiety, depression, and heart medicine—as a result of taking leadership.” This quote comes from the article The State of Black Women in Leadership Is In Danger from the Chronicle of Philanthropy. The quote references a study the publication conducted on 32 black women in senior leadership roles.
Much of the stress stems from the 'glass cliff' phenomenon, where black women who have broken the 'glass ceiling' are pushed off a figurative 'glass cliff' of high expectations, mistrust, and low support. Dr. Claudine Gay's forced resignation as Harvard University's president after only six months in the role stands as a stark example.
The matter hits close to home. Last year, after one too many alerts from my Apple Watch that my heart rate was elevated, I went to the ER. I left with a prescription for heart medication.
The pressures of my role manifested in my body before my mind knew what was happening.
Despite a supportive board and bi-weekly coaching sessions, the very nature of the top leadership role, while in the skin I’m in, required that I seek a cohort and community of peers to learn, sustain and get better with. Joining executive-level leader cohorts and maintaining regular check-ins with fellow black Executive Directors became essential. Even with the best managers and internal organizational culture possible, this type of external support is paramount.
Like School Leader Lab, many organizations have witnessed senior-level shifts in the past two to three years, with BIPOC leaders taking on more and more C-suite roles. My experience and proven research tells me that it is crucial to intentionally provide support, a community of peers, and development to this new class to ensure they sustain and grow their impact.
To support all DC C-suite leaders, with a particular emphasis on BIPOC C-suite leaders, School Leader Lab, with generous support from EdForward DC, is excited to launch the Executive Leader Cohort (EdEx) in June 2024. EdEx will offer research-based experiences proven to support and retain leaders, including cohort based development, a two-day overnight retreat, national and local expert presenters, 1:1 coaching and mentorship, school site visits, case studies, role plays, swag, dinners, and a lifelong community.
Intended audience:
C-suite level leaders (COO’s, CAO’s, heads, principal supervisors)
Leaders who are in the first three years in their c-suite role
Leaders who have the potential to transition into the c-suite role in the next 1-3 years (high potential principals)
As a result of EdEx, leaders will:
Drive results within their department and organization.
Understand their increased leadership role, its complexities, and new responsibilities in creating lasting change.
Build their technical toolkit (budgeting, project planning, meeting matrix planning, goal setting).
Notice and disrupt patterns of racism in themselves and on their teams.
Gain a community of peers to leverage their impact and improve sustainability
Increase readiness for the top role in their networks one day.
Are you a C-suite leader who wants to grow from this experience? Are you an Executive Director ready to invest in your team? Reach out to david@schoolleaderlab.org for more information!
