It is therefore a woman who is now Prime Minister. After having left doubts hanging over the identity of the person who will replace Jean Castex at Matignon for several days, Emmanuel Macron yesterday appointed Élisabeth Borne as the new head of government. Until now Minister of Labor, this technocrat from the left is hailed for his mastery of the files and his efficiency in carrying out controversial reforms, like that of unemployment insurance.
But as emblematic as she is, isn’t her appointment a poisoned gift? Doesn’t Elisabeth Borne risk becoming the embodiment of what researchers call the « glass cliff »? Theorized in the early 2000s, this concept designates the fact of appointing women to positions of responsibility in crisis contexts, which increases their risk of failing in their mission.
We put the question to Sarah Saint-Michel, lecturer at the University of Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne and specialist in women and leadership.
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SHE. Yesterday, during her investiture ceremony as Prime Minister, Élisabeth Borne dedicated her appointment « to all little girls ». Is this a good signal sent in favor of gender equality?
Sarah Saint Michel. Absolutely, it shows that it is possible for a woman to become Prime Minister. We know the importance that role models have on other women. They tell themselves that if others have been able to succeed, they too are capable of it.
SHE. Is this appointment of a Prime Minister, in your opinion, a typical case of « glass cliff »?
Sarah Saint Michel. The glass cliff phenomenon was demonstrated first in the corporate sector of the private sector, where women were positioned at the head of companies when they were in real trouble, on the assumption that they would bring something new. . However, since the company they have taken over is in difficulty, it is even more difficult for them to turn the situation around. Often they fail, further reinforcing stereotypes that women are not competent in leadership positions.
If we put this notion in parallel with the appointment of Elisabeth Borne, the question to be asked is whether she will have the stature to carry out the colossal files for which she is now responsible. But as Edith Cresson pointed out yesterday, she has the profile and the skills to take up the challenge.
You should know that this phenomenon of the glass cliff is often analyzed a posteriori, when a woman has left her post. One can then wonder if it was judged at its fair value and if it had all the key elements in hand to succeed in the missions entrusted to it.
SHE. Why do men often choose to appoint women in crisis situations?
Sarah Saint Michel. By appointing women to key positions, they presuppose that they would bring something different, something new. This reinforces the gender stereotypes we have about supposedly masculine or feminine skills. Studies show in particular that it is presumed that women, solely by their gender, would bring innovation, which would make it possible to redress the crisis.
SHE. Are there challenges that women face when appointed to these leadership positions that men don’t necessarily face?
Sarah Saint Michel. Today, many women have broken the glass ceiling, so we talk more about the labyrinth. Women have acceded to positions of leadership, of power, but the expectations and injunctions imposed on them are far more numerous than those imposed on men. This is symbolized by the image of the labyrinth: they have come to power, but the path to maintain it is much more complex and therefore less certain than that of men.
Women in power also have to deal with what are called invisible biases: these are stereotypes, sexist comments, perception biases or behavioral expectations. Subtle and insidious, these invisible biases undermine the advancement of women. It’s much more complicated for a woman to exercise power because human beings are not used to seeing women leaders, who have power, and that raises a lot more questions than for a man.
SHE. In the case of Elisabeth Borne, what challenges will she have to face specifically as a woman head of government?
Sarah Saint Michel. I hear these last days that she is a very good technocrat, that she ticks all the boxes: from the left, passed by the Ministry of Ecological Transition… But the criticism that we make of her is : will she succeed in being leader of the majority? In other words, will she have enough leadership? We therefore point the finger at what it is still difficult to imagine women on, namely a position of power. It made me wince, I don’t think this question was raised when Jean Castex was appointed. This shows that we are waiting for Elisabeth Borne at the turning point on this question of embodying the chef.
SHE. Can the glass cliff nevertheless contribute to breaking the glass ceiling?
Sarah Saint Michel. The glass cliff can indeed be one of the elements that makes it possible to break the glass ceiling. The problem is that in case of failure, the position she occupied then goes to a man.
In France, what has really made it possible to crack the glass ceiling is certainly to have the appointments of women, but above all the quota policies. Imposing quotas for women on company boards of directors has had a very favorable impact on the appointment of women to strategic positions. The future law, which this time will concern the Comex, will also contribute to promoting women to key executive positions in organisations. It’s a fact: imposing women by law also makes it possible to bring out new female talents.
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