Leadership in Crisis: Ernest Shackleton and the Epic Voyage of the Endurance Essay Example
Written Case Study - Leadership in Crisis: Ernest Shackleton and the Epic Voyage of the Endurance
This case study analyzes how a prominent English polar explorer and his team of 27 men survived an expedition to Antarctica that went dramatically and dangerously awry. By examining Shackleton’s plans to complete the first transcontinental trek across Antarctica and, more specifically, his reaction to a series of unexpected and life threatening events during the 1914-1916 voyage, the case offers MBA students an opportunity to scrutinize the critical elements of leadership, loyalty and conflict resolution in moments in crisis.
Your assignment is to respond to the below listed assignment questions. This written assignment must be typed (double-spaced) , in a Word Document format, and be submitted via Email to Neilh5@aol.com on or before 4/24/13. This is a graded exercise and will count as 15% of your final grade. Due to the complexity of this case study, you may have one other student work with you on this case.
Assignment Questions:
1) In what context should the Endurance expedition be analyzed? As a scientific endeavor? An entrepreneurial venture? An exercise in imperial opportunity? Was it a success or failure? Provide examples to justify your rationale. 2) What were the key features of the context/environment in which he operated? 3) A managerial scholar has defined entrepreneurship as the “relentless pursuit of opportunity without regard to resources currently controlled”. Using this definition, evaluate Shackleton’s actions on the Endurance expedition. Was Shackleton an entrepreneur? Give examples of your answer. 4) What parallels do you see between Shackleton and the two mountaineer leaders, Rob Hall and Scott Fisher? What were Shackleton’s strengths and weaknesses as a leader? 5) List at least 5 underlying causes of the Endurance crisis? 6) Assess Shackleton’s Legacy? Give some examples of how Shackleton’s struggle
This case study analyzes how a prominent English polar explorer and his team of 27 men survived an expedition to Antarctica that went dramatically and dangerously awry. By examining Shackleton’s plans to complete the first transcontinental trek across Antarctica and, more specifically, his reaction to a series of unexpected and life threatening events during the 1914-1916 voyage, the case offers MBA students an opportunity to scrutinize the critical elements of leadership, loyalty and conflict resolution in moments in crisis.
Your assignment is to respond to the below listed assignment questions. This written assignment must be typed (double-spaced) , in a Word Document format, and be submitted via Email to Neilh5@aol.com on or before 4/24/13. This is a graded exercise and will count as 15% of your final grade. Due to the complexity of this case study, you may have one other student work with you on this case.
Assignment Questions:
1) In what context should the Endurance expedition be analyzed? As a scientific endeavor? An entrepreneurial venture? An exercise in imperial opportunity? Was it a success or failure? Provide examples to justify your rationale. 2) What were the key features of the context/environment in which he operated? 3) A managerial scholar has defined entrepreneurship as the “relentless pursuit of opportunity without regard to resources currently controlled”. Using this definition, evaluate Shackleton’s actions on the Endurance expedition. Was Shackleton an entrepreneur? Give examples of your answer. 4) What parallels do you see between Shackleton and the two mountaineer leaders, Rob Hall and Scott Fisher? What were Shackleton’s strengths and weaknesses as a leader? 5) List at least 5 underlying causes of the Endurance crisis? 6) Assess Shackleton’s Legacy? Give some examples of how Shackleton’s struggle