Art of creative leadership: Taranda and the Imperial Russian Ballet, 2000

This case can be taught alone or in conjunction with the case “Diaghelev and the Ballets Russes, early 1900s.” The case focuses on Taranda, the founder and prime mover of the Imperial Russian Ballet – a contender in Russia and internationally with the Bolshoi ballet. Taranda himself aspires to be another Diaghelev, the great impresario who brought the Ballets Russes to Paris in 1909 and transformed ballet worldwide as a result. The case has been written to demonstrate that business might have something to learn from leadership in the arts, and vice-versa. A clear learning point is that both Taranda and Diaghelev achieve success, not by focusing on financial measures such as shareholder value, but by personal commitment and passion for what they do. The student is asked, however, whether Taranda, who is at a key life transition from No. 1 male dancer at the Bolshoi to entrepreneur and leader of the Imperial Russian Ballet, has what it takes to be a second Diaghelev. The case is rich in contrast and comparisons between the two leaders and the two centuries. The unusual setting of a ballet company in Russia makes the case especially alive for a business audience. A video and a teaching note complete this case series.

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