Show Notes
Taylor Baldwin Kiland and Peter Fretwell, authors of “Lessons From the Hanoi Hilton Six Characteristics of High Performance Teams,” tell how prisoners-of-war (POWs) not only survived, but THRIVED in the most infamous camp of the Vietnam War. Led by then-Navy Commander James Stockdale, the prisoners created a “POW culture” which fought efforts to make them propaganda tools. Their weapons of choice… creative resistance while loving and caring for each other. The story of the Hanoi Hilton remains one of the most inspirational chapters in U.S. military history and their ethos can be applied to any organization to build high-performance teams.
Their POW culture helped the prisoners overcome brutal torture and prolonged isolation with only 4% suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder….the lowest rate among all American combat veterans. While in captivity, Stockdale thought he might be court-martialed for his interpretation of the Code of Conduct and his endorsement of this POW culture, but he stayed on course because he believed it was the right path. In the end, he received the Congressional Medal of Honor.
Dr. James Bond Stockdale II, son of Admiral Stockdale, says most books on this subject “struggle to comprehend” the “breadth and depth” of the POW experience. He added, the real value of this book is the “distillation of life lessons for those seeking practical application.” Kiland and Fretwell spent seven years interviewing and researching the POWs and their experiences in the Hanoi Hilton as well as their return home.
More from The Leadership List
Lisa Fain, co-author of, “Bridging Differences for Better Mentoring: Lean Forward, Learn, and Leverage,” provides the definitive guide for overcoming cultural differences for more effective mentoring. American workplaces have never been more diverse and understanding differences is vital for developing strong relationships. When mentors and mentees make genuine connections, the mentoring experience becomes more powerful and productive. If you’re a mentor, or thinking of becoming one, the four-step mentoring model explored in Fain’s book is a must.
John Eades, author of “Building the Best,” discusses eight proven methods for elevating others to higher levels of performance and success. A difficult discussion with a coworker made Eades realize his shortcomings as a manager. That moment inspired him to discover the secrets of effective leadership. Patrick Lencioni, author of “The Five Dysfunctions of a Team,” calls Eades’ book “…a treasure trove of practical wisdom.”
Brendan and Tara Wehmann, two Navy veterans who decided to become owners of a Stumpy’s Hatchet House franchise in Tampa, FL as they transitioned out of the military. They offer advice for other veterans who dream of running their own business someday. Also, franchisors of Stumpy’s, Stu and Kelly Josberger, share their story of challenges involved with launching an unusual franchise and why they took a chance on a couple of military veterans looking for a fresh start.
Brendan and Tara Wehmann, two Navy veterans who decided to become owners of a Stumpy’s Hatchet House franchise in Tampa, FL as they transitioned out of the military. They offer advice for other veterans who dream of running their own business someday. Also, franchisors of Stumpy’s, Stu and Kelly Josberger, share the challenges involved with launching an unusual franchise and why they took a chance on a couple of military veterans looking for a fresh start.
Marc Phillip Yablonka, author of “Vietnam Bao Chi: Warriors of Word and Film,” covers the combat reporters who covered the Vietnam War. In his book, Lablonka shares stories from Marine combat correspondent Dale Dye, who later worked with director Oliver Stone to make, “Platoon,” the most realistic war film of its era; retired Air Force Colonel Rick Fuller, who was involved with the rescue mission of Lieutenant Colonel Iceal Gene Hambleton…later immortalized in the movie, “Bat 21,” starring Gene Hackman and Danny Glover; and legendary Air Force Combat Cameraman Ken Hackman who felt oddly safe behind his camera while in combat. The title of the book comes from the Vietnamese word for journalist…”Bao Chi.” Publishers Weekly says, “Yablonka fills a void (in the historical record) with this valuable collection of profiles of 35 American military journalists.” Yablonka is a retired Chief Warrant Officer and adjunct professor for Columbia College of Missouri’s satellite campus in southern California.