Business Case Studies & Business Publications

The Story of K2 and the Brotherhood of t...

Clawson, James G.,...

Case

The Story of K2 and the Brotherhood of the Rope

Clawson, James G.; Yemen, Gerry

OB-0979 | Published August 22, 2009 | 32 pages Case

Collection: Darden School of Business

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Product Details

Suitable for undergraduate, graduate, and executive education programs, this version of the K2 story provides the full version of the story based on sequential dates. Written as a replacement for the much-used Greenland Case (UVA-OB-0581) this undisguised case can be taught in a similar manner. Chris Warner led a team of experienced mountain climbers on an expedition to reach the summit of K2—the second highest in the world. After failing to succeed on their first two attempts, Warner and his team brought together other teams representing eight different countries hoping to work together for success. Their story is an account full of examples where a leadership point of view was taken or not taken. The successes and failures of the expedition’s approach is bursting with real world examples and offers an exciting framework to house theoretical concepts about team building and leadership. A video supplement is available to enhance student learning.

Encourage students to explore events in their own lives that have shaped their values and assumptions about management, teamwork, and the direction of their lives. Offer an introduction to the essential elements of world-class performance, team structure and leadership, and finding purpose in life. Prompt examination of characteristics of high-performing teams.