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Case Study

Art of creative leadership: Diaghelev and the Ballets Russes, early 1900s

By Derek F. Abell and Natalia Karpova

21 pages

June 2002

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Reference: IMD-3-1053

This case, to be taught in conjunction with the case “Art of Creative Leadership: Taranda and the Imperial Russian Ballet, 2000” (IMD-3-1054), has been written to demonstrate that business might have something to learn from leadership in the arts, and vice-versa. The great impresario, Sergej Diaghelev, brought the Ballets Russes to Paris in 1909, and transformed ballet worldwide as a result. The case provides a rich panorama of Diaghelev’s life, work, and leadership – and implicitly demands comparison between his life, work and accomplishments and the lives, work and accomplishments of our business leaders. There are also sharp contrasts with Taranda, who is trying to follow in Diaghlev’s footsteps a century later. Key leadership learning points revolve around the definition of personal and organizational purpose, leadership competences and capabilities, and how these are acquired as well as latent, and the fit between an epoch, its opportunities and leadership ambitions. A video and a teaching note complete this case series.

Keywords

Organizational Purpose, Strategic Redefinition, Performing Arts

Settings

1909

Type

Published Sources

Available Languages

English

Related material

Teaching note, Video

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