Stockdale on Leadership

Principle 7: People do not like to be programmed

A good leader appreciates contrariness and works through it. Instructors cannot force students to do what the instructors think is good for the students. Instructors cannot persuade students to act in their own self-interest all of the time. As stated in Dostoyevsky’s Notes from the Underground, "I will not be a piano key; I will not bow to the tyranny of reason." Students do what they want to do. They may say to the contrary, such as "I wish I had more time to train,” but in fact, if this is what they really wanted to do, they would do it. People always find time to do what they really want to do, and then they make excuses for not doing what they know they should do.

Principle 8: Living in harmonious "ant heaps" is contrary to man's nature

Life only makes sense when the element of freedom is included into the mix. Many people feel they are expressing individuality when they do what everyone else in a certain group is doing, but sometimes, you can only be an individual when you do what no one else is doing. Instructors must work to develop teamwork within their dojangs, but they must also realize that each student is an individual person and some may resist working in a team.

Principle 9: The self-discipline of stoicism has everyday applications

It may be hard for a young aggressive Taekwondo instructor to accept, but the Stoic's strong medicine is worth taking; as one such as Adm. Stockdale, who has been trapped in a web of adversity, suffering, and cruelty, can attest to. Sometimes emotions must take a backseat to reality. When things go wrong, sometimes, you just have to grin and bear it.