It's Your Ship

Management Techniques from the Best Damn Ship in the Navy

By: D. Michael Abrashoff

Narrated by: D. Michael Abrashoff

The story of Captain D. Michael Abrashoff and his command of USS Benfold has become legendary inside and outside the Navy. Now Abrashoff offers this fascinating tale of top-down change for anyone trying to navigate today's uncertain business seas. When Captain Abrashoff took over as commander of the Benfold, a ship armed with every cutting-edge system available, it was like a business that had all the latest technology but only some of the productivity.

Knowing that responsibility for improving performance rested with him, he realized he had to improve his own leadership skills before he could improve his ship. Within months he created a crew of confident and inspired problem-solvers eager to take the initiative and take responsibility for their actions. The slogan on board became "It's your ship," and Benfold was soon recognized far and wide as a model of naval efficiency. How did Abrashoff do it?

Against the backdrop of today's United States Navy - Benfold was a key player in our Persian Gulf fleet - Abrashoff shares his secrets of successful management including:

• See the ship through the eyes of the crew: By soliciting a sailor's suggestions, Abrashoff drastically reduced tedious chores that provided little additional value.
• Communicate, communicate, communicate: The more Abrashoff communicated the plan, the better the crew's performance. His crew would eventually call him "Megaphone Mike", since they heard from him so often.
• Create discipline by focusing on purpose: Discipline skyrocketed when Abrashoff's crew believed that what they were doing was important.
• Listen aggressively: After learning that many sailors wanted to use the GI Bill, Abrashoff brought a test official aboard the ship-and held the SATs forty miles off the Iraqi coast.

From achieving amazing cost savings to winning the highest gunnery score in the Pacific Fleet, Captain Abrashoff's extraordinary campaign sent shock waves through the U.S. Navy. It can help you change the course of your ship, no matter where your business battles are fought.

©2006 D. Michael Abrashoff; 2012 Hachette Audio

a must read leadership book

If you are a leader you need to read this book. It is one of the best books I've read on leadership , and I would recommend it to anyone.

Helpful strategies for managers, but a few land mines, too.

I found the Captain's narrative to be thorough and thought provoking. Certainly striving to be the best is paramount for any organization and helping employees find strengths within themselves is the best path for achieving goals.

Capt. Abrashoff's experiences aboard his naval vessel parallel a lot of what I have seen in my business career so I found his advice to be applicable to what I am trying to accomplish in my own company.

I will say, though, that towards the end of his book more and more of his stories involved breaking rules, throwing parties and spending money on extravagances. While this technique will most assuredly foster a fun environment, and maybe even better performance, I don't think that is a prescription for success across the board.

I would suggest caution when following some of this advice. Not a great fit in all industries.

Despite that caveat, I definitely recommend the read.

A must

A must of anyone wanting to be a better leader. it is impossible not to take something away from this book. Enjoy.

Amazing

I have read and listened to many leadership books and this has got to be one of the best ones I have ever reviewed.

Excellent leadership read!

This was recommended to me at a leadership class, and exceeded all my expectations. So much so that I bought the book and keep it on my desk as a refresher.

Excellent leadership book

Captain Abrashoff promotes thinking "outside-of-the-box" and shares his personal examples that lead his ship to be the best in the Navy. His leadership strategies can be used anywhere. This book is a must read.

Great for business and military!

Great for business and military. I served active duty in the US Marines, US Army Reserve and as a leader in small business. From cover to cover, start to finish, this book is exceptional. Though it may echo other publications, it shines on its own.

A manager must read!

So worth your time if you want a cohesive crew. The more times you listen, the more you can learn. First class all the way.

A great leader creates a safe environment

It's great to know there are leaders who create a safe place for their employees to be bold and take calculated risks. I also appreciated his advice to be humble, and vocally admit our own mistakes and own up to them publicly. Well done, sir!

Best leadership book I’ve ever read

Best leadership book I’ve ever read. If we could all perform like this book teaches, it would not only better ourselves and our businesses, it would better our our world!