Both were conscientious leaders and neither would allow herself to be stepped on. But the manner in which each accomplished this differed considerably. Miss Redecker made her presence known in her quiet, defiant way, while Capain Crawford had an authoritative desk-pounding approach" (p. 104). The natural leader has been defined by some as the person who is willing to take a stand on a moral issue and to stand alone, even when everyone else disagrees. In this regard, Mitch stands out as such a person. He has been chosen by the internees to be a judge of their disputes and to mete out punishments for wrong-doing. His willingness to stand on principle is revealed in a short conversation he has with Dottie. She feels uncomfortable about using their friend's shanty all the time and suggests that they sit at a picnic table which belongs to her friend Liz. Mitch refuses because the table is made from lumber that was stolen from the Japanese by another friend Austin: "...I suggested taking advantage of the picnic table under the dormitory. 'You go ahead if you like,' [Mitch said]. 'Lizzy's on duty. She won't mind,' [Dottie says]. 'Maybe so, but for me to do so would imply approval, and I can't do that.' 'Approval of what?' 'Look at it this way, doll. When I make judgments against men for far less violations, I can't condone that.' 'Condone what?' 'If Austin is caught stealing from the Japs, that's his hard luck. The fact is, the Jap contractor knows what's been stolen, and he takes it back from the camp's stockpile. No matter now noble Austin's intent, he gets a lot of satisfaction out of doing this, and it's wrong.'"

Mitch also shows a willingness...

The unpleasant Dr. Foster (the only surgeon in the camp) becomes outraged when a nun who live on the other side of the wall picks some onions from his garden. He demands she be tried for this crime. Father Markam represents the sisters: "Father Markham stated that the defendant thought that section was a part of the camp's garden, and that she did not know it belonged to Dr. Foster. Witnesses were called to the stand. Legalese dialogue went on until all points were covered, all except one. The defense again called Julius to the stand. 'Mr. Cohen,' Father Markham said, 'please identify the sister in question.' [Julius] looked at each sister carefully. 'They all look alike to me' he said. 'I can't tell one from the other.' 'Case dismissed,' Mitch yelled immediately, and gaveled the table with a resounding bang the doctor was furious" (p. 174).
As these example show, true leadership is more than getting people to work together and cooperate with each other in order to accomplish a task, although this ability is certainly valuable in an administrator. Leadership is not just being an executive. True leadership requires moral fiber and a willingness to be the only one who stands up, despite the power of the opposition or the negative effects of making a decision based on principle. True leaders often emerge during a crisis, such as becoming a POW, when the sheep's survival depends on a shepherd to lead them.

References

Danner, Dorothy Still. What a Way to Spend a War: Navy Nurse POWs in the Philippines,

Annapolis: Navy Institute Press, 1995.