The phenomenon of the fable, “The Emperor’s New Clothes” describes a phenomenon that can exist in leadership. Many times because of the pecking order or the vast leadership experience a person has no one is willing to challenge them even when they think that the leader is taking them to a place they do not want to go. In 1996 Rob Hall and Scott Fisher, both of whom had vast mountain-climbing experience and extensive experience guiding climbers to the summit of Mount Everest, led an expedition up Mount Everest. There was a hard and fast rule called the “two o’clock rule.” If it became evident a team was to reach the summit after two o’clock in the afternoon then they must turn around and make descent immediately or else face making the descent at night. Descending after nightfall was an unacceptable risk and to be avoided at all cost. Two guides knew this to be the case and when Hall and Fisher both ignored the rule they did not say anything because they were afraid to challenge such revered climbers and guides, particularly when it came to Mount Everest. Five people, including Hall and Fisher, perished when the descent took them well past midnight and a blizzard engulfed the mountain. Not only did those people die but the others on the team barely escaped with their lives. (Roberto, 2005)
Have you ever experienced a situation at a place of employment or an organization where people were afraid to challenge a leader and it had serious ramifications? If so, what happened and what was the result? If you have not seen this firsthand, do think this type of behavior or phenomenon does exist? Why or why not? explain.