Why Great Leaders Don't Take Yes for an Answer: Managing for Conflict and Consensus

1The Leadership Challenge

"Diversity in counsel, unity in command."

—Cyrus the Great

In February 2003, the Columbia space shuttle disintegrated while re-entering the earth's atmosphere. In May 1996, Rob Hall and Scott Fischer, two of the world's most accomplished mountaineers, died on the slopes of Everest along with three of their clients during the deadliest day in the mountain's history. In April 1985, the Coca-Cola Company changed the formula of its flagship product and enraged its most loyal customers. In April 1961, a brigade of Cuban exiles invaded the Bay of Pigs with the support of the United States government, and Fidel Castro's military captured or killed nearly the entire rebel force. Catastrophe and failure, whether in business, ...