Convenience

Exercise Overview
Diagnostic skills enable a manager to visualize the most
appropriate response to a situation. This exercise shows
how they can be useful when a manager must decide
which type of power is most appropriate in different
situations.
Exercise Background
William Shakespeare’s play
Henry V
, which was per-
formed for the first time in 1599, explores the themes
of war, leadership, brotherhood, and treachery in a way
that remains relevant today. The play contains the
famous “St. Crispin’s Day” speech that, despite its
352
Part 4:
Leading
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brevity, many people, Shakespearean scholars and non-
experts alike, regard as one of the most inspiring
speeches ever written.
First, we need to set the scene: In 1415, England,
under the leadership of King Henry IV, has invaded
France to regain control of some disputed lands. Bear
in mind that, to Shakespeare’s audience, the legitimacy
of Henry’s claim makes both his cause and his war
“just.” Having won several hard-fought battles, the
English army of 6,000 has marched from the coast
into the interior of France and is encamped outside
the French town of Agincourt. At this point in the
campaign, they are sick, cold, hungry, and dispirited,
and to make matters worse, they face an army of
25,000 well-rested, well-equipped soldiers and armored
knights on horseback. Through a combination of cour-
age, strategy, and plain luck, they win one of history’s
most renowned battles, losing only 200 men while
inflicting more than 5,000 casualties on the enemy.
The short scene in which Henry delivers his
St. Crispin’s Day speech occurs just before the Battle
of Agincourt. Henry’s officers are understandably dis-
heartened and fearful of the coming battle, and Henry
must motivate them. That’s the purpose of his St. Crispin’s
Day speech.