---
title: "The Stockdale Paradox"
description: "A two-sided psychology for facing hard times."
canonical: https://tomsharman.com/bookshelf/good-to-great/the-stockdale-paradox/
updated: 2026-11-03
---

# The Stockdale Paradox

> A two-sided psychology for facing hard times.

Jim Collins's framework, from Good to Great, pp. 74 to 99.

Framework 6 of 15 from [Good to Great](https://tomsharman.com/bookshelf/good-to-great/index.md) by Jim Collins. Category: Life and thinking.

## The steps

1. **Keep unwavering faith.** Retain faith that you can and will prevail in the end.
2. **Confront the brutal facts.** At the same time, face the most brutal facts of your current reality.

## Where it comes from

From chapter: Chapter 4 - Confront The Brutal Facts (Yet Never Lose Faith), pp. 74–99

## The animation

24 seconds, 4:5, no sound.

- MP4: https://tomsharman-downloads-006143767029.s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com/downloads/bookshelf/good-to-great/the-stockdale-paradox.mp4
- MP4, dark: https://tomsharman-downloads-006143767029.s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com/downloads/bookshelf/good-to-great/the-stockdale-paradox-dark.mp4
- Still: https://tomsharman-downloads-006143767029.s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com/downloads/bookshelf/good-to-great/the-stockdale-paradox.png
- Still, dark: https://tomsharman-downloads-006143767029.s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com/downloads/bookshelf/good-to-great/the-stockdale-paradox-dark.png