Build up your people article by mike abrashoff from its. In his superb followup book, its our ship, he tells. Naval academy in annapolis, md, and was a military assistant to the former secretary of defense, the honorable dr. Michael abrashoff on turning the worst ship in the navy. Navy destroyer that was one of the worst performing ships in the fleet. 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. The basic premise is that captain abrashoff was able to take command of a u. Management techniques from the best damn ship in the navy, by captain d. At 36, he was selected to be commander of uss benfold and was the most junior commanding officer in the pacific fleet. The story of captain abrashoff and his command of uss benfold has become legendary inside and outside the navy. Mike abrashoff became commander of uss benfold at age 36, making him the most junior commanding officer in the pacific fleet on a ship that was plagued by low morale, high turnover and abysmal performance evaluations. Knowing that responsibility for improving performance rested with him, he. Its your ship was written by captain mike abrashoff, and he primarily discusses management tactics that he employed while he was the officer in charge of the u. At the time he was the most junior commanding officer in the pacific fleet on a ship that was plagued by low morale, high turnover and abysmal.
Twelve months later, the uss benfold was the best ship in the entire navy. Navy captain mike abrashoff, who took control of the uss benfold, one of the worst performing ships in the pacific fleet. As was military tradition, the navy rolls out the red carpet for a departing. Find all the books, read about the author, and more. Michael abrashoffs leadership methods and his books. Michael abrashoff former navy commander bestselling author. Abrashoff wasnt worried about being liked as the benfolds new commander, all he really cared about was restoring the respect, trust, and effectiveness the former captain had lost. Michael abrashoff audio books, best sellers, author bio. Mike abrashoff is at the center of one of the most remarkable modern day stories of. This ship was actually, in many ways, an extreme example of some of the same problems which many organizations are facing today. Book mike abrashoff for speaking, events and appearances. Despite her potency, the dysfunctional ship had a sullen crew that.
The most important thing that a captain can do is to see the ship. Oct 09, 2012 the tenyear anniversary edition of captain mike abrashoff s guide to revolutionary leadership and management skills. The tenyear anniversary edition of captain mike abrashoffs guide to revolutionary leadership and management skills. Book mike abrashoff for public speaking harry walker agency. I was having so much fun reading this book and getting ideas that i could apply at my. This was abrashoffs first sea command, so he was undoubtedly anxious as he walked onto the ship. Michael abrashoff audio books, best sellers, author. The story of captain michael abrashoff and his command of uss benfold has become legendary inside and outside the navy. Its your ship the legendary new york times bestselling tale of topdown change for anyone trying to navigate todays uncertain business seas. When mike abrashoff published its your ship in 2002 he recounted how, as captain of the uss benfold, he had inherited a demoralized crew and engaged them in the phenomenally successful process of turning benfold into the best ship in navy. Mike abrashoff speakers bureau and booking agent info. Michael abrashoff, former captain of the uss benfold, is founder and coowner of aegis performance group. Sep 01, 2015 mike abrashoff is at the center of one of the most remarkable modern day stories of organizational transformation.
Naval academy in annapolis, md, and was a military assistant to the former secretary of defense, the. Mar 05, 2012 mike abrashoff recounted the leadership lessons from the turnaround of the uss benfold in its your ship, a new york times and wall street journal bestseller, with over 800,000 copies sold to date. Mike abrashoff generally travels from lakeland, fl, usa and can be booked for private corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other. Mike abrashoff is at the center of one of the most remarkable modern day stories of organizational transformation. Mike abrashoff generally travels from lakeland, fl. The basic premise is that captain abrashoff was able to take. This was abrashoff s first sea command, so he was undoubtedly anxious as he walked onto the ship. Michael abrashoff bio mike abrashoff was the mostjunior officer in the pacific fleet when he took command of the nearworst performing ship. Abrashoff left the navy in 2001 and became the founder and ceo of grassroots leadership, inc. Abrashoff begins implementing his belief that there is always a better way to do things. His crew eventually started calling him megaphone mike, since they heard.
At the core of his leadership approach on uss benfold was a process of replacing command and control with commitment and cohesion, and engaging the hearts, minds, and loyalties of workers with conviction and humility. Jim loehr and tony schwartz in their groundbreaking book. After just 12 months, abrashoff transformed the ship using the same crew and won the navys spokane trophy for bestperforming ship in the pacific fleet. He did an amazing job rehabilitating the crew of the uss benfold through alternative leadership activities. Michael abrashoff, legendary commander of the uss benfold, continues in the same vein of his bestselling book its your ship with the knowledge hes gained from his speaking to and advising some of the top business minds in the world. Discipline skyrocketed when abrashoffs crew believed that what they were doing was important. Michael abrashoff was in his midthirties when he took command of the uss benfold, a guided missile destroyer and one of the worst performing ships in the navy. Under his leadership, within 12 months the ship was ranked first in performance, utilizing the same crew. Mike abrashoff learned about leadership as captain of the uss benfold, a guidedmissile destroyer that he and his crew transformed from a disgrace into. Even if the decisions were wrong, i would stand by them. Short of those contingencies, the crew was authorized to make their own decisions.
At the age of 36, the navy selected mike to become commander of uss benfold. Speaker mike abrashoff organizational change book a. Speaker mike abrashoff organizational change book a keynote. When mike abrashoff took command of the uss benfold, morale was low, turnover was high and the ships performance ranked near the bottom of the pacific fleet.
Management techniques from the best damn ship in the navy, 10th anniversary edition hardcover october 9, 2012. Michael abrashoff shares his leadership skill in turning one of the navys most underperforming war vessels into the best damn ship in the navy i had. The story of that stunning transformation has lessons for every organization. His latest, its our ship the no nonsense guide to leadership is the third in a series based on his command tour aboard uss benfold ddg65 and building on his experiences with leaders in the business world.
This ship was actually, in many ways, an extreme example of some of the same. In many ways, the ship was actually an extreme example of the. Mike abrashoff is a cofounder of aegis performance group, a consulting firm which works with and supports leaders as they address leadership, talent and performance challenges within their organizations. This article is excerpted with permission from the book its your ship. When captain abrashoff took over as commander of uss benfold, it was like a. Discover more authors youll love listening to on audible. Mike abrashoff recounted the leadership lessons from the turnaround of the uss benfold in its your ship, a new york times and wall street journal bestseller, with over 800,000 copies sold to date. The more abrashoff communicated the plan, the better the crews performance. Motivational speaks for hire captain mike abrashoff is a former naval commander who has since become a new york times bestselling author and leading motivational speaker. During his first few weeks onboard the benfold, capt. Abrashoff, 73, of 15735 walnut hill drive, mount union, reposed peacefully at 2.
Navy commander michael abrashoff attracted worldwide media attention for his success in turning around a struggling ship. Mike s solution was to establish a set of management principles that he calls the leadership roadmap. Management techniques from the best damn ship in the navy, by captain michael abrashoff, is one of those books that stand apart from most others. Benfold is a guided missile destroyer staffed with 310 sailors. Mike abrashoff was the mostjunior officer in the pacific fleet when he took command of the nearworst performing ship. Michael abrashoffs bestselling audiobooks and newest titles. His crew eventually started calling him megaphone mike, since they heard from him so often. Since leaving the navy, mike abrashoff has set sail on a second career that includes leadership consulting, speaking and writing helping those in the world of commerce to navigate the tricky currents of competition, change, and corporate complacency.
Mikes solution was to establish a set of management principles that he calls the leadership roadmap. Knowing that responsibility for improving performance rested. Captain abrashoff has a lot to offer and teach in terms of leadership styles and techniques. Oct 15, 2007 the legendary new york times bestselling tale of topdown change for anyone trying to navigate todays uncertain business seas. Mike abrashoff is a former us navy captain famed in the service for his taking charge of the worstperforming ship in the pacific fleet and turning it into the best in the entire navy, with exactly the same crew. Management techniques from the best damn ship in the navy 15oct2007 by captain d. And the more responsibility they were given, the more they learned. Management techniques from the best damn ship in the navy, captain d. At 36, he was selected to be commander of uss benfold and was the most junior. Mike abrashoff is a former naval commander, leadership and. Management techniques from the best damn ship in the navy summary when captain abrashoff took over as commander of uss benfold, a ship armed with every cuttingedge system available, it was like a business that had all the latest technology but only some of the productivity.
Pondering all this in the context of my post as the new captain of benfold. Governing his ship with his unique management techniques, abrashoff turned the benfold into a model of naval efficiency, with amazing cost savings, the highest gunnery score in the pacific fleet, and a highly motivated and top. His latest, its our ship the no nonsense guide to leadership is the third in a series based on his command tour aboard uss benfold ddg65 and building on his experiences with leaders in. The challenges of this underachieving destroyer were staggering, with low morale and the highest turnover rate.
Management techniques from the best damn ship in the navy 15oct2007. At just 36, commander abrashoff transformed his crew on. While his experience was now nearly 30 years ago, the pillars of management he focuses on are still relevant today and its hard to imagine. Twelve months later, the uss benfoldwas the best ship in the entire navy using the same crew. Nov 27, 2012 the tenyear anniversary edition of captain mike abrashoff s guide to revolutionary leadership and management skills.
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