Mount Everest

Question: The number of deaths on Mount Everest were maximum in 1996. However, this accident is not a one man's fault. Keeping the group behavior model in context, point out at the many causes of the failure of this expedition

Answer

In the case of Mount Everest that happened in 1996, there was a deadliest tragedy happened with the loss of many lives including the leader of Adventure Consultants, Rob Hall and the leader of Mountain Madness, Scott Fischer. However, the accident was not a one man's fault. Both leaders had different leadership styles and conflicts between team members affected the communication among the team members. Hall, leader of Adventure Consultants is described as funny, confident and strict. He is a well-organized person. Fischer, leader of Mountain Madness, is described as easy-going and flexible with team members. He is more of a people oriented person. The causes of this accident were none other than group dynamics that impacted the group process negatively. Even though the expeditions were referred as teams, they lack of the characteristics of teams and teamwork. Each members of the groups were too focused on their personal goals rather than team goals. Reaching summit is not the individual work, it requires a great teamwork and group cohesion. Both of the teams didn't have group cohesion for they didn't spend enough time together before starting the expedition. Cohesive teams are able to communicate with each other expressing about the concerns and distress. Both teams needed open communication with team members. Also, even though the members trusted the leaders, they didn't trust each other as a team. In the end while both leaders are expert in their individual fields, they both failed to make the teams that support each other and work as a team. Those factors affected the group process and task which make the performance of expedition groups fail as the teams. If all