Author

Michael Abrashoff

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Average: 4.3 (23 votes)

This review was submitted by jhbchina.

“It’s Your Ship” takes the everyday successful practices of great managers and shows that no matter where they are applied, even on a $1 Billion warship, you can deliver exceptional results. It's connection to the US military allowed me to picture Mark and Mike in their military roles and learning their management practices.

Written by US Navy Commander D. Michael Abrashoff, of the USS Benfold, “It’s Your Ship” takes you on a cruise around the world of how good management delivers spectacular results. Commander Abrashoff tells a wonderful story of how he changed the behavior of every officer and sailor on the USS Benfold, even when it faced the political and military challenges of preparing for ‘combat readiness’, where lives are on the line.

He does this in a relaxing manner that allows the reader to absorb these concepts as if you were listening to good friend telling you about a day in his office. “It’s Your Ship” is simple to read and understand since it comes to you from an milieu you are totally unfamiliar with.

“It’s Your Ship” gets you out of the office or factory of management, and drops you in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Many of the practices that Commander Abrashoff used were the same principles and ideas written in other management books. His story is unique for it showed that these concept work regardless of the environment. He allowed his crew to reach their fullest potential in an organization of rules and policies, where mistakes could cost lives and waste taxpayers money.

As I read through “It’s Your Ship”, I could see similarities of such books as ‘Fish’ and ‘Speed of Trust’. He allowed the crew to have fun even during the most dangerous assignments. He ‘Listened First’ to his crew, ‘Talked Straight’ when it came to tough calls, and then ‘Delivered Results’ that made his bosses satisfied customers.

Commander Abrashoff is truly a ‘Level 5 Leader’ as defined in ‘Good to Great’. He has a ‘Culture of Discipline’ and once he got the flywheel moving he never let up. It went faster and faster. Throughout “It’s Your Ship” he tells real world stories that most of us never hear about from within our ‘secret’ military.

This book is a refreshing read that allows you to reconnect with some of the most common and effective management skills you have learned, while motivating you to apply them to your situation, no matter what you do or where you do it. It makes me want to have been on that ship!

 

Comments

bsimpson96's picture
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If you get nothing out of this other than, "empower your people and trust them", you will have learned a great deal.  For me, this book was an affirmation that what I'm trying to do as a team builder and servant leader can yield great dividends. 

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Brian Hanks's picture
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I came away with a lot more than three ideas I could immediately take away and use - more like 30. The management suggestions in this book are very specific and actionable.

The content around which the principles are based are interesting, too. How many of our organizations get to worry about shell accuracy and submarine detection as part of our everyday work? 

Both aspects make for a good, quality read. Pick it up!

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fredique's picture

Truly great book. Loads of managerial advice with a great story of contemporary naval operations. Definitely worth reading.

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dehnj's picture

This book is an easy read and I took away practical examples that could be used in day to day managing. Highly recommend this book with his follow up book as well. 

 

 

Dan Holt

Statewide Management

(908)377-8200 Cell

(888)852-1977 Fax

[email protected]

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contemplation101's picture
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Thanks for the recommendation Mark & Mike!

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contemplation101's picture
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Leadership wouldn't be so hard if we didn't think it would be so easy 

Your optimism and pessimism as a leader are equally infectious to those you lead.

Ask your staff: Is there a better way to do what you do?

Losing an employee will cost 150% of their salary to replace. – The value of retention.

Your people are more perceptive than you give them credit for. Never let your people forget how important they are to you

Once you squander an opportunity you never get another chance. 

 

When things are not working, ask yourself these three questions:

1.      Did I clearly articulate the goal?

2.      Have I provided the time & resources necessary to complete the action?

3.      Have I provided adequate training?

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loopmichael's picture
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I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a refreshing look at management techniques through the eyes of a middle manager in one of the world's largest organizations. 
 

Michael

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