Pieter's Rubbish

Published 30 Jul 2018
Reference 6426
Length 2 page(s)
Summary

A participant in an executive education leadership course decides the material is irrelevant and repeatedly disrupts the classes during the week-long programme. Other participants become somewhat resigned, cease to engage and effectively “check out”. While they criticize him behind his back, they do nothing to make a positive change in the classroom. The case illustrates a common situation in which people fail to show leadership and thus allow themselves and others to be harmed. It also raises questions about the ethical obligations of a critic.

Teaching objectives

This case illustrates a common type of situation in which people fail to show leadership and thus let themselves and others be harmed. It also raises questions about the ethical obligations of a critic. The main objective is to make plain that leadership failures occur in everyday social situations.

Keywords
  • Leadership
  • Ethics
  • Group dynamics
  • Q41718