Take a Seat in the Harvard MBA Case Classroom

Harvard Business School9 minutes read

Cynthia Caro, the CEO of Anglo-American, faces a critical decision after a miner's death, leading to investigations into safety practices and discussions on leadership, safety culture, and stakeholder analysis to determine the best course of action. The focus is on setting high safety standards and fostering diverse perspectives to ensure a shift towards a culture of safety and prevent future fatalities.

Insights

  • Cynthia Caro, as CEO of Anglo-American, faces a critical decision on whether to shut down a mine after a miner's death, highlighting the significance of safety culture and leadership in high-stakes scenarios.
  • The text underscores the emphasis on leadership capability, high standards, and openness to influence in decision-making, showcasing the pivotal role these factors play in shaping organizational responses to safety incidents and stakeholder concerns.

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Recent questions

  • Who is the CEO of Anglo-American?

    Cynthia Caro

  • What prompted Cynthia Caro to make a decision?

    Miner's death in Rustenburg

  • What factors influenced the decision to shut down the mine?

    Safety concerns and past incidents

  • What were the key topics discussed in class?

    Safety culture, stakeholder analysis, active listening

  • What qualities are emphasized in decision-making processes?

    Leadership capability, high standards, openness to influence

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Summary

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"CEO faces tough decision on mine safety"

  • Cynthia Caro becomes CEO of Anglo-American, a large mining company with $25 billion in sales and 162,000 employees, two-thirds in South Africa.
  • A miner in Rustenburg dies, prompting Cynthia to decide whether to shut down the mine or continue operations.
  • Detailed investigations into past incidents and current safety practices are initiated by Cynthia to determine the course of action.
  • Shutting down the mine is suggested by some to signal a shift in mentality towards safety not tolerating fatalities.
  • Discussions in class focus on safety culture, stakeholder analysis, and the importance of active listening and diverse perspectives.
  • The importance of leadership capability, setting high standards, and being open to influence is emphasized in decision-making processes.
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