The Return to Freedom and Leadership Lessons from Captivity

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This chapter recounts the emotional journey of Navy lieutenant inventors in a prisoner of war camp, their joyous freedom, and return to a transformed world in the Philippines. It reflects on leadership principles learned from captivity, advocating for self-improvement, team unity, and balancing mission goals with caring for people. The chapter emphasizes fostering creativity, building cohesive teams through trust and conflict, engaging with honor, and managing negative emotions for effective leadership.

Leon F. "Lee" Ellis (born October 9, 1943) is a retired United States Air Force colonel, award-winning author, speaker, and consultant.^[1] Ellis gained notoriety when, as a fighter pilot in the Vietnam War, he was shot down, captured, and spent 5+1⁄2 years as a prisoner of war in Hanoi and surrounding areas with former presidential candidate and Senator John McCain (R-AZ) and others.^[2] His capture occurred on November 7, 1967, and he was released on March 14, 1973.^[3] He was one of the youngest, junior members in the camps.^[2] Ellis is an international speaker and consultant on the subjects of leadership and human performance.