Dealing with the Glass Ceiling Syndrome
Human Resources 1 dk.
What happens when we believe that a situation is impossible?
Our mind starts working to prove that this situation truly is impossible. However, when we believe we can succeed, our mind shifts to finding solutions and helping us achieve our goals. Glass Ceiling Syndrome represents the sum of our emotions and thoughts that create invisible barriers to our potential.
Scientists placed fleas that could jump at various heights into a glass jar with a height of 30 cm. As the metal base of the jar was heated, the fleas became uncomfortable due to the heat. They tried to escape but hit the glass ceiling and fell back down. With the base still hot, they kept jumping and falling repeatedly. The fleas struggled to understand what was preventing them. Eventually, they learned not to jump higher than 30 cm.
In the second phase of the experiment, the glass ceiling was removed, and the base was reheated. However, all the fleas continued to jump no higher than 30 cm. Despite no barrier above them, the fleas were too afraid to jump higher. They had ingrained the limiting lesson of hitting the glass ceiling and remained trapped by it mentally.
Learned Helplessness in Modern Work Life
Glass Ceiling Syndrome is also known as 'Learned Helplessness. Employees may internalize helplessness in the workplace due to certain limitations, conditions, and challenging situations. It is defined as the invisible and insurmountable barriers that prevent employees from reaching higher levels in the business world despite their successes. This process can lead to feelings of ineffectiveness, procrastination, lack of control, inadequacy, and an expectation of failure.
The Glass Ceiling Syndrome results in a loss of motivation, reduced job satisfaction, weakened organizational commitment, distrust in the company, decreased performance, increased absenteeism, loss of creativity, and flexible thinking, ultimately lowering organizational productivity and costs.
To overcome this syndrome, individuals and organizations must first recognize its presence. This recognition is the first step towards empowerment and control. Encouraging open communication, fostering a growth mindset, and providing opportunities for development can help break these mental barriers.