Mount Everest – 1996
A. What is your evaluation of the leadership style of Hall and Fischer?
Fischer had the traits of a charismatic leader, for example, he coveted the spotlight and fancied respect from others. He was daring in his mountain conquests and had the initial mindset that all of his clients will be safe as “I will eliminate human error” mentality. Nonetheless, human error impacts abound, for example, sufficient oxygen supply was lacking; Fischer allowed oxygen to be used at lower altitude descents. Both leaders use of antiquated radios which were dispersed only to the guides, the clients had no way to communicate if they became stranded from the group or injured and left behind.
He was disorganized and frittered away his leader resources by choosing to personally care for tasks at Base Camp, which required …show more content…
Hall managed his expeditions with a clear set of rules and expectations that all of his clients must abide by. An example which personifies this was when a climber from another group was descending the mountain due to poor physical condition, he concluded he “could not achieve the summit and descend safely” and made a cognitive decision to turn back. Hall remarked that the climber displayed tremendous judgment being so close yet deciding to err on safety’s side. In fact, Hall stated “With enough determination, any bloody idiot can get up this hill, the trick is to get back alive” (p.9). Hall had a strict turn-around time rule. Regrettably however, there was confusion on whether the turnaround time was 1P.M. or 2P.M. for the climbers. Incredulously, Hall aborted his own procedures and reached the summit by 2:30 P.M. along with a handful of other clients. Further, he stayed with an injured team member and refused to abandon him. His decisions cost not only his life, but the lives of four of his
A. What is your evaluation of the leadership style of Hall and Fischer?
Fischer had the traits of a charismatic leader, for example, he coveted the spotlight and fancied respect from others. He was daring in his mountain conquests and had the initial mindset that all of his clients will be safe as “I will eliminate human error” mentality. Nonetheless, human error impacts abound, for example, sufficient oxygen supply was lacking; Fischer allowed oxygen to be used at lower altitude descents. Both leaders use of antiquated radios which were dispersed only to the guides, the clients had no way to communicate if they became stranded from the group or injured and left behind.
He was disorganized and frittered away his leader resources by choosing to personally care for tasks at Base Camp, which required …show more content…
Hall managed his expeditions with a clear set of rules and expectations that all of his clients must abide by. An example which personifies this was when a climber from another group was descending the mountain due to poor physical condition, he concluded he “could not achieve the summit and descend safely” and made a cognitive decision to turn back. Hall remarked that the climber displayed tremendous judgment being so close yet deciding to err on safety’s side. In fact, Hall stated “With enough determination, any bloody idiot can get up this hill, the trick is to get back alive” (p.9). Hall had a strict turn-around time rule. Regrettably however, there was confusion on whether the turnaround time was 1P.M. or 2P.M. for the climbers. Incredulously, Hall aborted his own procedures and reached the summit by 2:30 P.M. along with a handful of other clients. Further, he stayed with an injured team member and refused to abandon him. His decisions cost not only his life, but the lives of four of his