McKinsey removes partner from leadership roles after controversial remarks

McKinsey & Co has removed Australian senior partner Chris Bradley from his leadership roles, including his position at the McKinsey Global Institute, following a controversial social media exchange. The decision followed an internal conduct review triggered by Bradley’s comments on LinkedIn regarding the “glass cliff” phenomenon.

In the deleted posts, Bradley questioned the validity of the academic concept, which describes the tendency for women to be appointed to leadership roles at companies already in crisis. Bradley characterized the theory as “a very convenient way to always be a victim in the rain.”

The dispute began during a back-and-forth with Julia Carreon, a former Citigroup executive and co-author of the book “Walking on Broken Glass: Navigating the Aftermath of the Glass Ceiling.” Carreon argued that Bradley’s remarks undermined her work and suggested the firm’s actions did not align with its stated values. While Bradley has been stripped of his director and committee leadership roles, he remains a senior partner at the firm.