Author Dan Brown (The DaVinci Code, Angels and Demons, Origin) says one difference between good writers and bad writers is good writers know when they're bad. Good coaches know when it's broken. Kevin Eastman says, "Do it better, do it harder, change personnel, $#&* it ain't working." Distinguish difference makers from posers.
James Stockdale (1923-2005) was a Naval Aviator, prisoner of war, educator, President of the Citadel, Vice Presidential candidate, and Congressional Medal of Honor winner. His life defines discipline and character.
Stockdale never wavered in leading, suffering with, and mentoring fellow POWs. He literally disfigured himself to avoid being used for propaganda. Stockdale credited Stoic philosophy ("control what you can control") as helping him survive prolonged captivity.
Stockdale's discipline and toughness emerge as exemplars. "I think character is permanent and issues are transient."
However, Stockdale could be perceived as inflexible, which shortened his stay at the Citadel. In his Vice Presidential debate, he had no preparation (had no time to prepare) and came through as confused and detached. Thrown into politics, he entered the wrong arena at the wrong time. His hearing aid was turned off.
Stockdale endured torture and isolation for years in service to our country. He protected his values relentlessly at tremendous personal sacrifice. He never 'sold out' to expediency.
He is known for the Stockdale Paradox: "You must never confuse faith that you will prevail in the end—which you can never afford to lose—with the discipline to confront the most brutal facts of your current reality, whatever they might be."
Define and maintain our values. That doesn't mean that change is impossible, but if change means compromising our values, how do we respond?
Lagniappe:
We're not consistently reacting on the off-ball screens. Defense demands communication and consistency. Do you switch, show, or go through? I don't believe that you can "lock and trail" from the weak side.
