McKinsey strips Australian partner of research leadership role over 'victim in the rain' LinkedIn posts
McKinsey & Co has removed senior partner Chris Bradley from his director role at the McKinsey Global Institute after he called the 'glass cliff' theory "a very convenient way to always be a victim in the rain" in a now-deleted LinkedIn exchange. Bradley, based in Australia, sparred online last month with Julia Carreon, co-author of 'Walking on Broken Glass' and founder of advocacy group Fifth Wave Feminists, who said his comments undermined her work. The consulting firm confirmed the demotion following an internal conduct review, with spokesman Taylor Burns saying Bradley's comments "fell well short of the standards we expect." Bradley retains his senior partner role at the firm.
Carreon told Bradley the 'glass cliff' term was "coined by esteemed psychologists from Exeter 21 years ago" and told him to look it up on AI rather than argue with her.
The 'glass cliff' theory holds that women are more likely to be offered CEO roles at companies already in crisis — Bradley questioned whether the concept exists at all.
Bradley has worked at McKinsey for over 27 years and sits on the board of Sydney's Centre for Independent Studies, a conservative think tank.