Rating: 
Summary: Thumbs Up
Review: If you read management books, you'll have read some of this book's type advice before, but it's presented here in comprehensible and entertaining fashion. Just from an "historical" viewpoint, this book shows, I think, why democratic countries continually defeat tyrannical countries (in WW II, most notably, of course). Democracies more likely bring out the best in everyone. Anyway, I really recommend this book because, even though I've read some of the same management guidelines elsewhere, this book is among the best at making those points "stick to my ribs."
Rating:
Summary: From the trenches! A Must read!
Review: I have been in management for a couple decades. I have heard & seen all the gurus come & go. Until now only one book about management has managed to stay on my shelf, The One Minute Manager. Well now it is not alone! This book is great! It is from the trenchs, not some "professor" who has really never worked in management. If you are a manager who works with your people, this is a must read! Finally, a book written by someone who understands the importance of the people you work with! By walking you through his tour on the Benfold Captain Abrashoff lets you in on his thoughts & his concerns so that you understand his solutions. The fact that it all takes place on a Navy ship only adds to the message. Whether it is an Admiral or a CEO, the Navy or major corporation, a boss is a boss & bureaucracy is bureaucracy. I have never served in the military. But I have shared his concerns. His thoughts parallel mine regarding productivity, retention, morale. His solutions are earthshatteringly basic. He took the time to find out what drives his people. It was time well spent. Time you will be inspired to spend after you read this book.
Rating: 
Summary: An enjoyable read, but not 5 stars
Review: For me, a five star book is one I will refer to constantly, to re-read certain areas that I want or need to understand better...like the 7 Habits book by Covey. I did find this an enjoyable book to read, the style was light, easy and informative. I did learn several things, but many of the principles he uses and believes in are, or should be, common sense or just plain appropriate behavior. For example, treating others with respect, watching out for those underneath you, expect the best from your crew and they will live up to that expectation. I won't comment on other posts' criticisms of the authors ego, etc. I suppose if that is what a person sees in the book, I could see where they get that impression. I am a veteran, albeit an enlisted one, so I can't comment on the leadership taught in the officer ranks, but I got the drift from the book, that the author was playing both sides of the fence, trying to adhere to military policy on one hadn and trying to push the envelope to change things on the other. The messages are simple and common sense. Take care of your people, delegate, push your crew to excel, believe in your crew, get to know them as individuals, have fun, be creative and be a real person your crew can relate to. Buy it used or wait for it to come out in paperback.
PS. And as far as the ego thing goes...I don't think having a little bit of an ego is a bad thing...you have to be confindent in yourself and what you know.
Rating: 
Summary: I Expected Substance
Review: I anticipated an insightful book on leadership and was surprised to find only simple platitudes. More surprising were the number of personal pronouns throughout the book - I've never before read a management technique & leadership book that focused so much on the individual. In contrast, Jim Collins' book "Good to Great" describes level 1 through 5 leaders. Let the reader decide for himself/herself what level is CAPT Abrashoff.
Rating:
Summary: FELLOW SHIPMATE IN SAN DIEGO
Review: WOW...I thought it took almost 300 people to run a Navy combatant. Obviously, according CAPT Mike, all the accolades received by the USS BENFOLD were all about him, and due to his leadership.
As a retired Navy CAPT, I feel he has done a true disservice to his fellow Surface Warfare Officers and all of his senior enlisted members and crew. Obviously, Mike missed the first session of Command Leadership l0l...Command is not about you as the Commanding Officer, its about the sailors!
Rating:
Summary: Best Practical Military Leadership Book I've Read!
Review: This is one of the very best books on practical military leadership I've ever read...maybe the best. I particularly like that it provides leadership tips that the most junior officer can put to work right now (unlike a lot of leadership books that seem to focus on how to be a great general). Every young officer should read this book..it's only 200 pages and crammed full of pure gold nuggets of wisdom.
Rating:
Summary: It's a real eye opener
Review: I felt the book was put together real well. It's one of those that you can't stop reading because the information is just so logical. I've used some of the principles already and it works amazingly. It's a great book for anyone in management.
Rating:
Summary: Career Changing Leadership Theory
Review: I first read Mike Abrashoff's story in a 10 page-or-so Fast Company magazine article approximately 3 years ago. Upon completion I immediately made it required reading for my leadership staff and have made a point of re-reading it once a month. His heavy push for - among other things - empowerment and taking care of your people first struck a chord with me, and those two objectives became the focus of my management philosophy. I can't tell you how quickly and powerfully my group became energized by my new style. The resulting increase in productivity and willingness to tackle projects outside their job responsibility has provided me with consecutive "outstanding" performance reviews. Great, great book with career changing results.
Rating:
Summary: Food for thought
Review: With this book Michael Abrashoff shows with remarkable simplicity what it takes to become truly great! Any leader should read this book and start improving right away. The book is filled with insights as to what drives people and how to get the best out of them and yourself, and it outshines many of the selfproclaimed leadership gurus by a country mile.A true pearl.
Rating:
Summary: Great Book, Should be required reading at LTC
Review: Great Book, it is an insightful view of the day to day operations aboard ship and how the captain takes charge and makes a difference for the better. This book should be incorported into the Navy's Leadership Training Continuim which is required for E-5's, E-6's, E-7's and 0-1's. I advise all my fellow enlisted and fellow officers to read this book.
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