Cognitive Scaffold

Preparing your thinking workspace

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MENTAL MODEL · M1060

The Broken Rung

The Broken Rung
CultureHigh supportSociology
Included
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Version 1.0.0 · Updated 2026-07-30

CORE DEFINITION

Proposed by McKinsey research. The biggest obstacle women face in workplace advancement is not the 'glass ceiling' (at the top), but the 'broken rung' (the first step from entry-level to manager). Because the first step is blocked, the talent pool of women at senior levels dries up.

SCAFFOLDING EFFECT

psychology

Reduce cognitive load

Precisely locate the problem. When addressing inequality, don't just focus on the top of the pyramid, but pay attention to whether the promotion channel at the bottom is clear. Fixing the first rung is often more effective than imposing quotas at the top.

anchor

Anchor fast decisions

Metaphorically refers to the breaks and thresholds in the social mobility ladder, making upward climbing blocked at certain levels, leading to class solidification. It reveals that mobility is not continuous and smooth.

MINIMUM ACTION

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Source support: Explicit

  • link
    mckinsey.comhttps://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/mckinsey-live/webinars/climbing-over-the-broken-rung-how-women-can-succeed-in-their-careersZH · Explicit
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