Quick Lift: Glass Walls — The 6 Hidden Barriers Holding Women Back at Work (and What to Do About Them)

Overview : This is your Quick Lift recap of the conversation with Dr. Amy Diehl—focused on glass walls: the hidden barriers that block women’s access to opportunity, influence, and leadership in ways that aren’t always obvious (until you’re the one hitting them).

We cover the six gender bias barriers from Glass Walls—from “default male privilege” and constrained expectations, to the more overt stuff like hostility—plus what leaders and allies can do to actually change the environment.

We cover:

• The 6 bias barriers and how they show up in real workplace moments
• Why “insufficient support” is a system problem (not a personal flaw)
• How devaluation and hostility can quietly shape promotion paths
• What to do as a leader: language, processes, and accountability moves

Action steps:

• Leaders: In your next talent discussion, ask: “What evidence are we using—would we say this the same way about a man?”
• Allies: If she’s not in the room, be the one who names the miss (“We’re holding her to a different standard.”).
• Women: Track patterns (credit, feedback, access) and bring data + a clear ask to your manager.

Resources:

• Purchase Glass Walls
• Amy Diehl’s website + tools