Stockdale Paradox

             

                           Vice Admiral meeting his family after a gap of eight years 

                    Some years back I read a book "Good to great" by Jim Collins.It is a very good book on what makes companies great over sustained period of time.In this book I read about Stockdale Paradox named after US Navy Vice Admiral James Stockdale. Admiral Stockdale was prisoner of war  for nearly eight years during the Vietnam war.He was tortured more than twenty times and was one of the few people who was able to come out alive from the torture camp.He was awarded medal of honor for his efforts in the Vietnam war.

             

                   Among the prisoners of war he was the highest ranking officer.He not only endured torture for seven plus years but also motivated others to survive.When he was asked how he managed to survive such hardship for such a long time Stockdale's reply was,"I never doubted not only that I would get out,but also prevail in the end and turn the experience into defining event of my life ,which, in retrospect I would not trade".Even though  Stockdale believed that he would prevail in the end he was not optimistic which is a paradox.

           Other prisoners of war with him were optimistic that they will be getting released soon. Every Christmas the prisoners would eagerly look forward for announcement of their release.But it would not happen.Many died of a broken heart.Then they would look forward for release on Easter or Thanksgiving.But many Christmas,Easter and Thanksgiving would come and go but they would not be released .Many were heart broken and died out of hopelessness.But Stockdale was not optimistic like other prisoners.He knew that their release will not happen immediately but may take many years all together.He made up his mind to endure torture and not lot loose hope as years went by.

              It is always easy to face hardship if we know how long it will last.But if we don't know the length of hardship we have to make up a mindset to endure it. Stockdale not only made up his mindset to survive but dealt with the reality of the situation. During his stay in the prison he developed a tapping code to communicate with his fellow prisoners.He developed a milestone system to help others to deal with torture.He passed on intelligence information in seemingly innocent letters he wrote to his wife.

             

               The Stockdale Paradox says,"You must retain the faith that you will prevail in the end, regardless of the difficulties.And at the same time you must confront the most brutal facts about your current reality,whatever they may be."In real life such situations could be a bad relationship, illness or a road block in our career's or business.But following Stockdale Paradox can help us to over come any adverse situations we face in life.