Lecture Notes: Decision-Making as CEO of Anglo-American

Introduction

• Scenario: Assume the role of Cynthia Carroll, CEO of Anglo-American.
• Context: $25 billion in sales, 162,000 employees, primary operations in South Africa.
• Current Situation: News of a miner's fatality in Rustenburg.

Decision Point

Options

• Shut Down the Mine
  • Need for detailed investigation into circumstances of death and past safety practices.
  • Importance of learning from the incident to improve safety measures.
  • Signaling a cultural shift against the acceptance of miner fatalities.
• Continue Operations
  • Focus on improving overall safety culture rather than shutting down operations.
  • Encourage open discussions about safety and organizational culture.

Investigation Process

• Key Areas of Focus
  • Identify unsafe practices and compliance issues.
  • Gather evidence on safety protocols and their implementation.

Classroom Dynamics

Engagement and Learning

• Role of participation in class discussions.
• Dynamics of learning from peers and faculty.
• The professor as a facilitator rather than a direct participant.

Cultural Considerations

• Issues with the organizational culture:
  • Predominantly white overseers vs. predominantly black workers.
  • Communication barriers due to command and control language.
• Importance of empathy and understanding diverse perspectives.

Strong Leadership

• The need for bold decisions in leadership to change the safety culture.
• Importance of being an active listener and valuing diverse opinions.
• Recognizing how personal perspectives can shift through constructive debate.

Stakeholder Analysis

• Critical to identify stakeholders and their interests:
  • Managers, the government, and the community.
• Need for thorough stakeholder engagement when implementing changes.

Personal Development and Transformation

• Shift in priorities from technical skills to engaging discussions.
• Recognition of the need for intellectual challenge and change in leadership approach.
• Emphasis on pushing oneself for personal growth.

Conclusion

• Legacy of Cynthia Carroll:
  • Significant improvements in miner safety and dignity over the years.
• Encouragement for students to aspire to make meaningful changes in their fields.