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It's Your Ship: Management Techniques from the Best Damn Ship in the Navy
by
The legendary tale of top-down change for anyone trying to navigate today's uncertain business seas.
New York Times Bestseller
When Captain Abrashoff took over as commander of USS Benfold, 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 ...more
New York Times Bestseller
When Captain Abrashoff took over as commander of USS Benfold, 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 ...more
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Hardcover, 212 pages
Published
May 22nd 2002
by Grand Central Publishing
(first published January 1st 2002)
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Start your review of It's Your Ship: Management Techniques from the Best Damn Ship in the Navy
This summary is taken from http://managingleadership.com/blog/20...
The U.S. Navy is perhaps the most technically-oriented service in the American military. Officers work their way up by developing and demonstrating comprehensive and immediate skills in the numerous individual systems that make ships responsive in combat. The focus here tends to be on technical competence – not necessarily on the sort of personal leadership ability that is emphasized more during an officer‘s development in the ot ...more
The U.S. Navy is perhaps the most technically-oriented service in the American military. Officers work their way up by developing and demonstrating comprehensive and immediate skills in the numerous individual systems that make ships responsive in combat. The focus here tends to be on technical competence – not necessarily on the sort of personal leadership ability that is emphasized more during an officer‘s development in the ot ...more
Find another management book. I think that the author is a little bit full of himself and his accomplishments. The leadership/management techniques that are identified in each chapter are good but not really new news.
Having spent some time in the Navy and seen how the surface warefare (the people that drive ships) community operates I have a feeling the techniques were new to him. There are a number of things that the author mentions that just sound a little fishy to me. He seems to claim that ...more
Having spent some time in the Navy and seen how the surface warefare (the people that drive ships) community operates I have a feeling the techniques were new to him. There are a number of things that the author mentions that just sound a little fishy to me. He seems to claim that ...more
Good book if you are a civilian. If you are a Surface Warfare Officer in the Navy, you must refrain from throwing the book across the room.
I put off reading this book for 10 years and I finally decided to get around to it on this deployment. As Executive Officer of a cruiser and growing up in the Navy post CDR Abrashoff's command tour, I am astonished at the level of self horn blowing. I heard this guy speak at the Naval Academy about 10 years ago when he got out. Now, mind you, he resigned at ...more
I put off reading this book for 10 years and I finally decided to get around to it on this deployment. As Executive Officer of a cruiser and growing up in the Navy post CDR Abrashoff's command tour, I am astonished at the level of self horn blowing. I heard this guy speak at the Naval Academy about 10 years ago when he got out. Now, mind you, he resigned at ...more
Abrashoff proves that crushing bureaucracy is no excuse for refusing to try new management styles. Within the confines of the Navy, where he could theoretically order personal to perform their best, Abrashoff finds ways - without violating regulations - of motivating his crew to want to perform their best. This book is an excellent read for anyone who thinks their workplace could be better.
This is my favorite book on business management. One day a director of sales handed it to me, and I casually put it aside, as there were hundreds of books at home patiently waiting for their turn to be read. Danged if I didn't keep stealing glances at the cover. I knew it was watching me. So I thought, why not read it at work? The books at home would never know. Separation of church and state, so to speak.
LOOK FOR RESULTS, NOT SALUTES
Microsoft has been in a freefall since it focused on Salutes o ...more
LOOK FOR RESULTS, NOT SALUTES
Microsoft has been in a freefall since it focused on Salutes o ...more
There were some good ideas in this book. However, by the end the self-congratulatory tone started to grate on my nerves. To be fair, he does give credit where credit is due. This was assigned reading for a recent conference I attended for work. One of my co-workers re-named it "My Ship Don't Stink". However, there were definitely good things to glean from this. Much of the message is to treat people in the manner in which they would like to be treated, show confidence in them, and the results wi
...more
I'm sorry and guilty for giving it 2 stars when everyone else seems to have rated it so highly. But I'm really sorry it doesn't work out for me. In my eyes, I see this book in the following way:
Theory.
Theory.
Theory.
Some incident that happened (it can connect to whatever theory you want).
More Theory.
More Theory.
Some lecture.
Hard work is good bla bla.
Some other incident.
Repeat.
This is not what I was looking for. I was hoping for some kind of internal struggle maybe (in situations where we're not s ...more
Theory.
Theory.
Theory.
Some incident that happened (it can connect to whatever theory you want).
More Theory.
More Theory.
Some lecture.
Hard work is good bla bla.
Some other incident.
Repeat.
This is not what I was looking for. I was hoping for some kind of internal struggle maybe (in situations where we're not s ...more
Let me try to sum this book up for you:
"Hello my name is Captain D. Michael Abraschoff and this is a book about how all the things I've done led to [superlative][nouns], in fact the best [qualifiers] I've ever seen. All of my decisions have had profound and everlasting effects on my environment of which are still in use today and every person in those environments has gone on to bigger and better things.
I've also been made aware of some correlations to business, so I've taken the time to sprink ...more
"Hello my name is Captain D. Michael Abraschoff and this is a book about how all the things I've done led to [superlative][nouns], in fact the best [qualifiers] I've ever seen. All of my decisions have had profound and everlasting effects on my environment of which are still in use today and every person in those environments has gone on to bigger and better things.
I've also been made aware of some correlations to business, so I've taken the time to sprink ...more
Reading the reviews before listening to the audio book I thought It's Your Ship was going to be very arrogant and boastful... What I took away was that the officer was proud of what he was able to accomplish despite a culture that was working against him.
I think this is a very good read for leaders who have been in a leadership role for a few years. Some of the topics that he suggests like knowing when to break rules, require a bit of experience and could easily be done incorrectly.
I did enjoy ...more
I think this is a very good read for leaders who have been in a leadership role for a few years. Some of the topics that he suggests like knowing when to break rules, require a bit of experience and could easily be done incorrectly.
I did enjoy ...more
Notes
Lead By Example:
Real leadership must be done by example, not precept. Whenever I could not get the
results I wanted, I swallowed my temper and turned inward to see if I was part of the
problem. I asked myself three questions:
1. Did I clearly articulate the goals?
2. Did I give people enough time and resources to accomplish the task?
3. Did I give them enough training?
I discovered that 90 percent of the time, I was at least as much a part of the problem as
my people were.
Never forget your effect ...more
Lead By Example:
Real leadership must be done by example, not precept. Whenever I could not get the
results I wanted, I swallowed my temper and turned inward to see if I was part of the
problem. I asked myself three questions:
1. Did I clearly articulate the goals?
2. Did I give people enough time and resources to accomplish the task?
3. Did I give them enough training?
I discovered that 90 percent of the time, I was at least as much a part of the problem as
my people were.
Never forget your effect ...more
This ends up being a compare and contrast because having read Turn the Ship Around reading this book initially felt very similar and then eventually drifted away. I read Turn the Ship Around before It's Your Ship and so this review is coloured by that fact.
So the book takes you through the author's leadership journey. Early on the book focuses on the leaders that the author took lessons from. The good and the bad. After that the book discusses specific tactics the author used to drive good perfo ...more
So the book takes you through the author's leadership journey. Early on the book focuses on the leaders that the author took lessons from. The good and the bad. After that the book discusses specific tactics the author used to drive good perfo ...more
A very good take on leadership and an easy read for anyone who is super busy.
CDR Abrashoff had many basic leadership points that will allow anyone to further develop their own leadership attributes and beliefs. The points definitely allowed me to add to my leadership toolbox to be used in my role at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy as the Regimental Executive Officer and also in my future career as a Surface Warfare Officer (the same career path of CDR Abrashoff). Fun fact: I was able to work o ...more
CDR Abrashoff had many basic leadership points that will allow anyone to further develop their own leadership attributes and beliefs. The points definitely allowed me to add to my leadership toolbox to be used in my role at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy as the Regimental Executive Officer and also in my future career as a Surface Warfare Officer (the same career path of CDR Abrashoff). Fun fact: I was able to work o ...more
This was a good book on empowering your employees, not focusing on your personal success, and improving your organization as a whole. Many leaders need credit and that holds them back from being great. This book explains that well and provides examples. If you micromanage, been told you micromanage, or are too much involved in the day to day of your organization, you need to read this book for a different perspective. Unfortunately, I've frequently worked with micromangers whether in the militar
...more
“Empower your people, and at the same time give them guidelines within which they are allowed to roam.”
Abrashoff’s commandments:
Take command
Lead by example
Listen aggressively
Communicate purpose and meaning
Create a climate of trust
Look for results, not salutes
Take calculated risks
Go beyond standard procedure
Build up your people
Generate unity
Improve your people’s quality of life
Solid examples and fun stories. Little bit boastful, but don’t discount the advice for that.
Abrashoff’s commandments:
Take command
Lead by example
Listen aggressively
Communicate purpose and meaning
Create a climate of trust
Look for results, not salutes
Take calculated risks
Go beyond standard procedure
Build up your people
Generate unity
Improve your people’s quality of life
Solid examples and fun stories. Little bit boastful, but don’t discount the advice for that.
The author of this book becomes captain of a troubled ship and turns it into a high performer by his management techniques. There shouldn't be any real surprises for managers who are doing a good job. The problem is so many are doing a pathetic job. Unfortunately, I suspect the second category would not take these lessons to heart.
Advices in this book might seem outdated for most work places, they are still progressive and relevant to mine. If I must stay at where I am now, it’s not a bad idea to implement few of these tips into my work life. This is the first book on leadership written in a language that I both identify with and can appreciate. It gives me a lot to think about regarding what it means to be a good manager, the importance of good leadership, and ultimately if I can see myself fulfilling such a role.
I would ...more
I would ...more
Mike's Benfold should be the golden standard for all business teams and organisations. An extremely practical guide for anyone wanting to become a better leader. Brilliant read!
4/5
4/5
This book was recommended by my new mentor as I joined his team at work. He said that this book guides him. I guess that makes me lucky because contained within is great advice! From enabling leadership to ethical behavior, this read is bursting with inspiring insights on how to be effective. It is also a book full of joy for work and life that leaves me feeling excited.
Short read but thoroughly enjoyable.
Short read but thoroughly enjoyable.
Jun 30, 2020
Justin Hurt
added it
Great book on leadership. Reminds me a lot of Jocko Willink's book Extreme Ownership.
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Good book - great stories, I would have loved more instruction
Overall great book. Quick and easy read. I felt it just need a bit more training teaching and how to.
Overall great book. Quick and easy read. I felt it just need a bit more training teaching and how to.
One of the best books I have read on management. The stories are great. Captain Abrashoff breaks his management techniques down into 11 simple techniques. His techniques have changed how the navy operates, by taking calculated risks or as I like to put it - it's easier to ask for forgiveness than permission if you want to be a risk taker. I admire how he treats his crew not as subordinates but truly believes that by building up people you build up your organization. He walks the walk and talks t
...more
This is an excellent business and management book for the post-Dot Com era, and a fun, light read packing a substantial heft in ideas.
While most of us don't lead anything like a guided missile destroyer, for any organization struggling with low morale, a jaded workforce, outdated command and control corporate culture, and operational problems, the parallels are vivid.
While most of us don't lead anything like a guided missile destroyer, for any organization struggling with low morale, a jaded workforce, outdated command and control corporate culture, and operational problems, the parallels are vivid.
If you enjoy learning how a damn smart leader works, this book is for you!
Really enjoyed the thinking out of the box ways of problem solving. Culture is very difficult to change without a majority on board.
This was a good leadership book for me because it told lots of stories as it illustrates ideas. Stories make more sense to me than maxims when learning concepts.
Great audiobook version. Interesting lessons and stories related to leadership. Engaging and uplifting examples of leadership and development of people.
The author narrates examples of leadership where he turn around the worst ship to best ship and crew using 11 leadership techniques. What I feel unique is about the application of presence of mind and common-sense approach to the leadership system. Whether it is Armed Forces or the Organisations, all leaders face common challenge of getting the most out of the crews (Employees). This depends upon the three variables – The Leader’s needs, The organisation’s atmosphere, and the crew’s potential co
...more
Best book about being a senior level naval officer.
“At the Naval Academy we studied legendary military leaders, from Alexander the Great to Dwight D. Eisenhower, but I sensed that something was missing from the portraits. Biographers described their victories and heroic gestures, but my years in the Navy taught me that the art of leadership lies in simple things- common sense actions that ensure high morale and increase the odds of winning.”
“Since a ship’s captain can’t hand out pay raises, mu ...more
“At the Naval Academy we studied legendary military leaders, from Alexander the Great to Dwight D. Eisenhower, but I sensed that something was missing from the portraits. Biographers described their victories and heroic gestures, but my years in the Navy taught me that the art of leadership lies in simple things- common sense actions that ensure high morale and increase the odds of winning.”
“Since a ship’s captain can’t hand out pay raises, mu ...more
One of the most important life lessons I learned in Business School was the power of candid discussion amongst people with different viewpoints. You can call it diversity and inclusion, or markets, but in order to make decisions, no individual can possess superior knowledge on their own. I apply that theme in every opportunity I get, practicing asking key questions and listening over trying to repeat the narrow band of perhaps marginally superior information I do possess.
Among topics, Management ...more
Among topics, Management ...more
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D. Michael Abrashoff served for almost twenty years in the U.S. Navy, culminating in a tour of duty as captain of the $1 billion warship USS Benfold. After leaving the navy, he wrote a bestseller about progressive leadership called It’s Your Ship. He now lectures to business audiences around the country.
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