More, P. Case 2

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University Of Connecticut *

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5620

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Management

Date

Feb 20, 2024

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docx

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3

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Case 2 (K2: Brotherhood of the Rope) The American team led by Chris Warner on K2 displayed several characteristics of an effective team. Warner's leadership style, as seen in the case, aligns with the principles taught in last class on Leadership and Networking, which emphasize the importance of building a network of relationships for professional advancement and problem-solving. His decision-making process during the crisis mirrors the concept of ‘Leadership is a Conversation', which emphasizes dialogue, inclusion, and intentionality in leadership, which Warner demonstrated through his interactions with the team and other climbers, (Groysberg & Slind, 2012). Further, Warner's ability to adapt his leadership style according to the situation reflects the teachings from Useem, 2010. Performance Problems in K2: Brotherhood of the Rope: A significant performance problem in the case was the refusal of one of the climbers to assist the injured Don Bowie. This behavior represents a breakdown in team dynamics and is contrary to the principles of mutual support and shared goals. The issue here is not just about individual failure but also about the collective responsibility of the team, as emphasized in Ibarra & Hunter, 2007. Although, the team displayed aspects of emotional intelligence, particularly in their ability to manage stress and maintain strong interpersonal relationships under challenging circumstances, this specific incident suggests a lapse in team-wide emotional intelligence, particularly in empathy and social responsibility. To address this performance problem, several steps could have been taken:
As suggested in Hill, 2007, setting clear expectations and guidelines for teamwork and mutual support is crucial. Warner could have established these expectations before the expedition, ensuring all team members understood the importance of collective responsibility. Warner's adaptability, as discussed in Useem, 2010 he could have been instrumental in addressing individual attitudes and behaviors within the team. Adapting his communication and motivational strategies to individual team members' needs could have mitigated the performance issue. Team Behaviors for Survival and Success: Despite summiting late in the day, several behaviors contributed to the team's survival and success such as collective responsibility and resilience wherein the team's commitment to shared goals and mutual support was crucial as emphasized in Katzenbach & Smith, 2005. The team's adaptability, reflecting principles from Useem, 2010, was instrumental in facing the unforeseen challenges during their descent. In conclusion, the case study of Chris Warner's team on K2 demonstrates the complexities of leadership in extreme situations. While the team exhibited many qualities of effective leadership, the identified performance problem highlights the need for clear communication of team values, adaptive leadership, and the establishment of a strong, supportive team culture. These elements are crucial in enhancing team cohesion and performance, especially in high-stakes environments like mountaineering. Thus, the title i.e., ‘K2: Brotherhood of the Rope’ symbolizes the deep bond and mutual dependency within a climbing team, formed by shared risks and objectives. This
metaphor is relevant to leading teams in any context, emphasizing the importance of trust, collective responsibility, and shared purpose. References: (Groysberg & Slind, 2012): Leadership is a Conversation (Useem, 2010): Four Lessons in Adaptive Leadership (Ibarra & Hunter, 2007: How Leaders Create and Use Networks (2007, HBR, R0701C) (Hill, 2007): Becoming the Boss (2007, HBR, Product R0701D) (Katzenbach & Smith, 2005): The Discipline of Teams (Jul/Aug 2005, HBR)
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