It's Your Ship

Management Techniques from the Best Damn Ship in the Navy

By: D. Michael Abrashoff

Narrated by: D. Michael Abrashoff

Length: 6 hrs and 24 mins

Publisher's summary

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

great story

if more businesses follow these principles, business would run a lot smoother. The statement, it's just business, does not have to be acceptable

Inspired and Practical

I bought copies of this book for members of my school district's administrative team and Board of Education. It contains excellent advice and examples of how to create a positive culture within an organization.

Leadership

This is one of the best books on leadership that I’ve read. It has already helped me to create positive changes. Yes, I highly recommend this book!

Great book!!

This is One of the better leadership books I have listen to and plan to listen to it again.

Great management book for any organization!

This book is better than any I read getting my business degree! I believe it would be helpful for the leader of any type of organization. A must-read.

One of the most engaging business books I've read

I love the stories that hold each lesson in this book. So often business books are made up fables or dry telling a of theory. It's Your Ship is made up of real lessons from some cool situations

Wonderful book 📚

Very easy book to get sucked into. Some really great advise and words of wisdom.

Inspirational

This was an extremely interesting and motivating book! It was a wonderful listen as during a six-hour road trip! It allowed me to get the entire read in one setting, and kept me wanting to hear more. I especially appreciated that it was read by the author.

best book on leadership ever

this book helped me to understand that we are all leaders. we don't have to have a leadership title to be a leader in all those with the title are not called to the purpose

top of my recommendations list

needs to be required reading for every manager hoping to lead people. great leadership techniques and rules to live by.