Recently I asked my client if he could remember the “Stockdale paradox” from Jim Collins book Good to Great. He remembered the name; not the content. I reminded him. We all need reminders…
The Stockdale paradox was named after Admiral Jim Stockdale who was the highest ranking prisoner during Vietnam. He was tortured repeatedly by his captors. Never broke. He did, however, continue to lead. He made it out alive (after 7.5 years) and when asked how he survived, he replied, he never lost hope that he would survive and he faced the brutal facts of reality.
Face the brutal facts of your reality and do NOT lose hope. Paradox.
Leaders face the brutal facts and remain hopeful. Leaders don’t believe in sunshine soldiering, nor do they believe in spreading sunshine and cheer when clouds and stormy weathers are on the horizon. Leaders tell their team the brutal facts and generate hope by going to the front and saying “follow me.”
Faux leaders blow bullshit up skirts all while slowly sliding out of sight. Faux leaders lose hope and blame circumstances and others for their inaction. Psychologists see this so often they’ve coined a label; learned helplessness. This is not the one you want. Leaders understand they cannot lead without hope. I told my client the eyes tell the truth, the mouth, not so much. When times get tough, what are your eyes telling your team? What do you believe about the current adversity coming your way? Have you taken time to ponder life’s big questions before circumstances demand an answer? Do you know who you are? Do you know where you’re going? Do you know what you STAND for? Does your belief system enable you to see beyond your current adversity?
Do NOT wait until the crucible reveals. Build your CORE today. Hope, combined with facing the brutal facts of your reality, will lead to productive action that is almost reflexive under the sternest of tests. This kinda “knee jerk” is the one you want. Stockdale didn’t break under pressure because he had been building in advance of his circumstance. He was a student of Epictetus and Marcus Aurelius. As he parachuted from his plane he told himself he was entering Hell. He preloaded how he would respond when the pressure inevitably came.
Choose to begin this building project, today. Never stop. Most humans delay, deny, and even delegate this building project, hoping for slower times ahead. Life is not slowing down. Obstacles are not going away. Life is hard. Only the hardened weather tough tests. Most start strong. Few finish strong. You?
Live hard. Love harder…
BUILT TO LEAD 