Group Behavior: Mount Everest – 1996

  1. Describe the role of the perception biases, “shortcuts”, and errors that the climbers — as individuals and as a group— made during the 1996 expedition to Mount Everest (describe at least 5).How did these biases, “shortcuts,” and errors contribute to the tragedy?
    2.- What can we learn from this case about (a) personality, (b) conflict, and (c) decision making? Discuss a major lesson in each one of these themes and try to apply it to a business organization.
    3- Describe the leadership of Scott Fisher and Rob Hall in light of theory.
    4.- Describe the group and team dynamics present in the climbing teams. What lessons applicable to business organizations can be drawn from this experience.

Sample Solution