Lessons from the Hanoi Hilton: Six Characteristics of High-Performance Teams

by Taylor B. Kiland, Taylor Baldwin Kiland, J. P. London (Contributor)

Why were the American POWs imprisoned at the "Hanoi Hilton" so resilient in captivity and so successful in their subsequent careers? This book presents six principles practiced within the POW organizational culture that can be used to develop high-performance teams everywhere. The authors offer examples from both the POWs' time in captivity and their later professional lives that identify, in real-life situations, the characteristics necessary for sustainable, high-performance teamwork. The book takes readers inside the mind of James Stockdale, a fighter pilot with a degree in philosophy, who was the senior ranking officer at the Hanoi prison. The theories Stockdale practiced become readily understandable in this book. Drawing parallels between Stockdale's guiding philosophies from the Stoic Epictetus and the principles of modern sports psychology, Peter Fretwell and Taylor Baldwin Kiland show readers how to apply these principles to their own organizations and create a culture with staying power.
Originally intending their book to focus on Stockdale's leadership style, the authors found that his approach toward completing a mission was to assure that it could be accomplished without him. Stockdale, they explain, had created a mission-centric organization, not a leader-centric organization. He had understood that a truly sustainable culture must not be dependent on a single individual.
At one level, this book is a business school case study. It is also an examination of how leadership and organizational principles employed in the crucible of a Hanoi prison align with today's sports psychology and modern psychological theories and therapies, as well as the training principles used by Olympic athletes and Navy SEALs. Any group willing to apply these principles can move their mission forward and create a culture with staying power--one that outlives individual members.

Genres: Leadership, Military Fiction, History

176 pages, Hardcover

First published May 15, 2013

Reviews

[Zach Stiffler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really interesting book that gives very detailed accounts of some of the most notable POWs from the Vietnam war. It is truly incredible these men lasted up to 9 years in these conditions. This book does a good job of turning the experience of these men that was largely unplanned, pragmatic, and terribly difficult and turning it into a lesson for organizations and teams to use. They use many examples not only from the POWs experience but also from leading psychologists and doctors. I enjoyed reading this short recount of a subset of the Vietnam war, and it has inspired me to seek out further information.

[Stacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great lessons from these POWs. very interesting read!

[Dam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Worthwhile. Great insight.

[Nikki Shaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for any looking to grow and develop self and teams.

[Serge Gershkovich · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was hoping for more accounts of the POW experience. Instead, the author offers second-hand interpretations and lessons learned (often without a supporting story to accompany the conclusion).

[Jeri Rowe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review TK

[Sean Jensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an astonishing read; I will probably read this every year or two to maintain a good perspective of life and appreciation for what I have and where I am in life.

[Vivek Agarwal · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is a lot to learn from the experience of the POW's

There is a lot of information on building and working with a team through development of a corporate and culture

Good book

But I needed more information on not just the traits of a good high performance team and their culture, I think how to hold the culture of a high performance team which is not under duress of a prison needs to be understood and needs to be addresses

[Carrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent application of psychology to leadership principles and a great review of the outstanding resilience and tenacity of the Vietnam repatriates. This is a concise, excellent primer for new leaders.