James Stockdale

Principles are our summary of their public statements.

• The Stockdale Paradox

  Resilience

  One must maintain unwavering faith in ultimate victory while simultaneously confronting the most brutal facts of the current reality.

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• Lead by Personal Sacrifice

  Leadership

  A leader should be willing to endure personal harm or disfigurement to protect the integrity of the group and prevent being used for the enemy's propaganda.

  Source Wikipedia: James Stockdale  (opens in a new tab)

• Embrace flexible improvisation

  Strategy

  A leader must be willing to discard established procedures and improvise when the environment changes.

  Supporting quotes

  • “I had become a man detached-not aloof but detached-able to throw out the book without the slightest hesitation when it no longer matched the external circumstances.”

    “I was able to put juniors over seniors without embarrassment when their wartime instincts were more reliable.”

    “The competition, the game, was the thing. The ball was "used" to make the game possible, but it in itself is not of any value that would justify falling on your sword for it.”

• Play the game with grace

  Life

  Engage in life's competitions with skill and speed, but recognize that the external rewards are merely tools for the game.

  Supporting quotes

  • “I had become a man detached-not aloof but detached-able to throw out the book without the slightest hesitation when it no longer matched the external circumstances.”

    “I was able to put juniors over seniors without embarrassment when their wartime instincts were more reliable.”

    “The competition, the game, was the thing. The ball was "used" to make the game possible, but it in itself is not of any value that would justify falling on your sword for it.”