Lee Ellis FAQ – “What was the impact having men around you as deep encouragers, given your POW situation?”

Be encouraged! A Frequently Asked Question from Lee Ellis: ���In your POW experience, what was the impact of having men around you as deep encouragers, given the situation?���

Lee���s Answer: ���That was incredibly important. First of all, if you have never been alone in very difficult and scary circumstances, you don���t know what alone and scary is. You have no idea. Could you imagine being a prisoner of war in a communist country and you are locked up? You are alone and they are telling you that you will never go home and you are going to be tried for war crimes. You are helpless, so that situation when you are alone and helpless, other than your own will and attitude, having someone else around you is vital. We would risk our lives just to reach out to each other. When someone was alone, we would take great risk to reach out and encourage them because that is the worst place you could be.

One of the things I tell people today is that the Navy Seals never fight alone, fighter pilots try to never fight alone because when you are alone the odds go up against you. To keep your positive attitude, your energy, your fighting spirit whether you are in business or whatever it is in life, you need support. You need that fellowship around you that can encourage you and that can give wisdom and hold you accountable. Being alone is a dangerous place.���

Learn more about Lee Ellis and award-winning title, Leading with Honor: Leadership Lessons from the Hanoi Hilton.