Overcoming an established obstacle that had excluded people or blocked progress.
Reach for it when praising an achievement that opens a previously restricted path
The barrier-breaking appointment gave young researchers a visible new precedent.
| warm | |
|---|---|
| professional |
|
| formal |
warm
Fits when a person visibly creates a path others can follow
Careful Trailblazing centers the individual and may underplay collective change.
professional
historic
Fits when lasting significance has been credibly established
Careful Historic is too strong before the long-term effect can be judged.
professional
Fits when someone is among the first to develop or attempt the work
Careful Pioneering may be novel without removing an exclusionary barrier.
formal
Fits when the achievement introduces an important new method or idea
Careful Groundbreaking can be technically original while leaving access unchanged.
formal
precedent-setting
Fits when the event establishes a model for later decisions
Careful A precedent can be narrow and may not dismantle the wider obstacle.
formal
Fits when the change reshapes opportunity or practice at a deep level
Careful Transformative overpromises when only one barrier has been crossed.
barrier-breaking achievement
The barrier-breaking achievement expanded apprenticeships to deaf candidates.
barrier-breaking research
Barrier-breaking research made the screening tool usable in rural clinics.
barrier-breaking leader
The barrier-breaking leader paired her milestone with structural reforms.
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Updated
Your browser isn't saving lists, so this one will be cleared when you leave the page.