ENCORE: The Stockdale Paradox
How did a first century philosopher named Epictetus guide VADM James Stockdale through seven and one half years as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam? What does it mean to embrace things that are within our power versus things that are beyond our power? Is optimism a good thing, or can it lead to your demise? We talk with Dr. Joe Thomas, the Director of the VADM James B. Stockdale Center for Ethical Leadership at the US Naval Academy. He dives into the Stockdale Paradox.
Dr. Joe Thomas serves as the Director, VADM James B. Stockdale Center for Ethical Leadership at the US Naval Academy. A retired Marine, he served previously as the Class of 1961 Professor of Leadership Education at USNA and as Director, MajGen John A. Lejeune Leadership Institute at Marine Corps University. In addition he’s taught at the University of Notre Dame, University of Maryland, George Washington University and the National Outdoor Leadership School. He has published five books on the topics of leadership and ethics, along with numerous articles, book chapters, and research reports. Joe supported student research that led to the award of Rhodes, Mitchell, and Fulbright scholarships. Joe holds masters’ degrees from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University and the US Army War College, a PhD from George Mason University, and a Certificate in Public Leadership from the Brookings Institute.