Rating: 
Summary: It's Your Ship: Management Techniques from the Best Damn Shi
Review: I picked this up as I had been part of the Navy and was interested to see what Captain Abrashoff offered in Management philosophy. The reading turned out to be a great pleasure and an informative one. The techniques and processes he used, translate to different industry managements, not just the military. I am a CIO and have provided this book to the Managers of the department. Management techniques are not one time events, but need to be developed as part of the company culture, Captain Abrashoff's offerings are what we are trying to instill in our culture.
Rating: 
Summary: Very good book on how to create a rewarding work environment
Review: Abrashoff was one of the most effective Commanders in the Navy in recent history - this book recounts his lessons learned and is very proactive with respect to empowering your staff and delegating to them as well. On Page 158, he has a great line - Expect the best from your crew (and you will get the best). When we have high expectations and we properly equip people to deliver, harmony is created and a virtuous cycle of achievement and progress is created. Abrashoff was very objective focused as opposed to process or traditional ways of getting things done. He also took care of his people and made exceptions where feasible to ensure their long term emotional stability and commitment to the Navy. He understood the true costs of acquiring, training and bringing new staff up to speed. Often your best investment is employee retention! A very good book with a different focus than the standard mantra management book. Well worth the read! It is a loss for the US Navy that Abrashoff retired to pursue other life objectives. He was a strong credit to the Navy.
Rating:
Summary: Captain D Abrashoff is amazing
Review: This "out of the box" Naval Officer has written the "best damn book" on corporate survival,corporate culture, management,and empowerment that I have ever read. It has given me the insight to expect excellence from myself, and my company.
It is not your typical "three bags full" fluff.
I have recommended it UPWARD, SIDEWAYS,and DOWNWARD in my company, and to my customers as well. It has been well received in ALL directions.
I suggest that anyone at any level can learn valuable lessons from this story. This Officer turned the "Worst ship in the Navy" into the "Best damn ship in the Navy" with a simple game plan that not only changed his ship, but the U.S.Navy as a whole. (And in the process, improved out nation's security ... read the book to find out how he did it!)
Well done on Benfold, and the book, Sir !
Rating:
Summary: A must read for every manager!
Review: I knew there were managers out there who thought like I did, but I didn't expect to find one in the Navy!
Employee empowerment is not a "nice to have", it is essential for any business to gain in the marketplace.
I have worked for too many businesses whose management stifled all employee input. One of them went bankrupt, another was sold.
Rating:
Summary: Interesting Techniques
Review: Michael Abrashoff has a very enlightened view of treating people and I found that very refreshing. However, while his methodology is commendable, it was applied in a context of a "closed" environment. And, most of the tasks on the ship were of a repetitive nature, which means that by practicing sufficiently and hard enough it was possible to improve and attain a higher proficiency rating. The military command structure is also tighter, and the ship operates in a real life-and-death situation since it is a combat vessel geared for the possibility of a war mission.
A competitive and aggressive style of leadership as exemplified by Mr. Abrashoff demands a consistent and firm system of rewards and retributions-something that does not exist at American corporations. Trying to apply his leadership style In American industries is very difficult because they operate in an "open" environment. Thus, if a corporation has a "loose cannon" or someone fails to deliver as promised, there are no real consequences that occur as a result of these actions. Also, most of the tasks that are undertaken at corporations usually only have a single opportunity in which to accomplish them.
The bottom line is that you can follow this style of leadership, and that it will probably yield results within the confines of a small group. And, maybe some of this attitude can affect other groups with whom this group interacts. It's worth a shot, especially since everything else has already been tried by American corporations.
Finally, I found an interesting omission at the end of his book. In the "Acknowledgements" section he forgot to specifically acknowledge his crew members aboard the Benfold. I thought that they deserved special mention and recognition for the role that they played in the outcome of his management model.
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Summary: I would go to sea with this man any day...
Review: In my twenty-three years of active duty, I served under quite a few Commanding Officers. With one notable exception, they were all competent leaders, and several of them were excellent. Two were extraordinary. After reading his book, I can only conclude that Captain Abrashoff qualifies for the extraordinary category. This is the kind of leadership that real Sailors pray for. I sincerely wish I'd had the opportunity to serve under his command.
Jeff Edwards, Author of "Torpedo: A Surface Warfare Thriller"
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Summary: An important book for every CEO, VP or Manager
Review: This book is simple, fun to read, and immediately useful. It is not theory nor lecture, but practical knowledge from a "field" manager who lived, and is now retelling, his experiences. I have been able to facilitate profound morale changes in my division by simply applying the guidelines Abrashoff lays out.
Rating:
Summary: Cool and Profound
Review: This book is cool. Captain D. Abrashoff is an ideal leader and knows how to tell entertaining stories packed with powerful truths. I was so impressed with this book I included it as a must read in my book, Cracking the Networking CODE - 4 Steps to Priceless Business Relationships. Make It's Your Ship...your book.
Rating:
Summary: It's Your Ship: Management Techniques from the Best Damn Shi
Review: I picked this up as I had been part of the Navy and was interested to see what Captain Abrashoff offered in Management philosophy. The reading turned out to be a great pleasure and an informative one. The techniques and processes he used, translate to different industry managements, not just the military. I am a CIO and have provided this book to the Managers of the department. Management techniques are not one time events, but need to be developed as part of the company culture, Captain Abrashoff's offerings are what we are trying to instill in our culture.
Rating:
Summary: Best Damn Book on Leadership Ever Written
Review: As a long-time Air Force Instructor who specializes in teaching leadership courses, I was stunned at the simplicity and wildly effective techniques described in this book. Captain Abrashoff simply followed his heart, and in the process, not only nearly transformed the Navy but created allegiances so herculean that you'd think you were reading Greek mythology. Nothing fancy here--a committed leader, determined to do what makes sense and what makes his people feel most empowered and personally satisfied. His eager crew knocked the socks off every existing comparable ship in the fleet, but that wasn't his best legacy. His greatest gift as a leader was his willingness to learn and to change as needed--and that, as uncomplicated as it sounds, created physical and emotional miracles. More than once, I reached for the tissue box, and more than once, I asked Providence to bless him and anyone else who was determined to lead as he did and does. Easy to read, brief, and magnetically compelling, this is a magnificent primer for every person who leads or who aspires to do so one day. I have read many dozens of books on leadership for my profession, but this one blows every single one of them "out of the water". Read and heed, and your abilities as a great inspiration and guide will multiply exponentially. Extraordinary!
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