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Its Your Ship (Abridged): Management Techniques from the Best Damn Ship in the Navy Audiobook, by D. Michael Abrashoff Play Audiobook Sample

It's Your Ship (Abridged): Management Techniques from the Best Damn Ship in the Navy Audiobook

Its Your Ship (Abridged): Management Techniques from the Best Damn Ship in the Navy Audiobook, by D. Michael Abrashoff Play Audiobook Sample
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Read By: D. Michael Abrashoff Publisher: Grand Central Publishing Listen Time: at 1.0x Speed 2.00 hours at 1.5x Speed 1.50 hours at 2.0x Speed Release Date: January 2006 Format: Abridged Audiobook ISBN: 9781594834967

Quick Stats About this Audiobook

Total Audiobook Chapters:

35

Longest Chapter Length:

07:31 minutes

Shortest Chapter Length:

01:55 minutes

Average Chapter Length:

05:01 minutes

Audiobooks by this Author:

3

Other Audiobooks Written by D. Michael Abrashoff: > View All...

Publisher Description

The legendary New York Times bestselling tale of top-down change for anyone trying to navigate today's uncertain business seas.

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 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 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, 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 eventually started calling 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.

    Download and start listening now!

    "Excellent discussion of core leadership principles. A colleague recommended this to me several years ago and I am just now getting around to reading it. The principles are sound and the presentation concise. A background in public safety may have helped to make the leadership lessons particularly applicable. This one made my "must read" list for leadership. This is not profound scholarship. If you want that, read Collins. If you want clear, concise and immensely practical points - this one is for you."

    — Mark (5 out of 5 stars)

    Quotes

    • “In It’s Your Ship, [Abrashoff] translates his methods into an approach that can also be applied by land-bound captains of commerce and industry…Abrashoff’s course should provide practical direction and inspiration for any leader hoping for similarly positive results in similarly rigid organizations.”

      — Amazon.com, editorial review

    It's Your Ship Listener Reviews

    Overall Performance: 3.8536585365853657 out of 53.8536585365853657 out of 53.8536585365853657 out of 53.8536585365853657 out of 53.8536585365853657 out of 5 (3.85)
    5 Stars: 12
    4 Stars: 16
    3 Stars: 9
    2 Stars: 3
    1 Stars: 1
    Narration: 4.5 out of 54.5 out of 54.5 out of 54.5 out of 54.5 out of 5 (4.50)
    5 Stars: 2
    4 Stars: 2
    3 Stars: 0
    2 Stars: 0
    1 Stars: 0
    Story: 4.75 out of 54.75 out of 54.75 out of 54.75 out of 54.75 out of 5 (4.75)
    5 Stars: 3
    4 Stars: 1
    3 Stars: 0
    2 Stars: 0
    1 Stars: 0
    Write a Review
    • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Story Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

      — Tim Stenson, 1/23/2023
    • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Story Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

      — Jim Marshall, 2/18/2021
    • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Story Rating: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

      — Darryl Vance, 9/4/2019
    • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Story Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

      — Mihaly Body, 10/27/2015
    • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

      " Its hard to believe the author actually pulled off all that he claims to have accomplished as CO of a USN destroyer. He is some kind of natural genius at managing people, getting cooperation and exceeding goals. Wow. And very entertaining. "

      — Dave, 2/18/2014
    • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

      " building trust, ownership, through listening and talking with crew "

      — Joyce, 2/6/2014
    • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

      " 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. "

      — Angelyn, 2/2/2014
    • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

      " I was not to impressed. I was recommended this by a client. The philosophies in this inspire rebellion and rule breaking. OK at times, but a little much for me. It is also 90 percent about how great this guy was. "

      — Adam, 1/30/2014
    • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

      " This book can irritate people b/c the guy can sound like he's patting himself on the back ... but I found a lot of good little hints and I liked his big-picture perspective. "

      — Kate, 1/30/2014
    • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

      " Horrible. Same old stuff plus self-aggrandizement. "

      — David, 1/28/2014
    • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

      " Leadership from a different perspective. Not bad, but I've read better leadership books. "

      — Clint, 1/26/2014
    • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

      " Another book that would put in the "advanced common sense" category. A quick read that at the very least will give every manager some things to think about. "

      — Leonard, 1/21/2014
    • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

      " This was a decent book, my one main issue with it was the repetitiveness of his content, he found several different ways to say the same thing. "

      — David, 1/5/2014
    • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

      " I found it an arrogant book. A friend of mine served under Abrashoff on the USS Benfold and he was not the type of guy he portrays himself as in the book. Besides that, he takes credit for ideas and methods that were not his but his crew's. "

      — Heidi, 12/26/2013
    • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

      " A quick read on how a captain improved morale on his ship and how these techniques might translate in the civilian world. It was interesting and I thought there were a few decent ideas...but most of it is common sense. "

      — Bruce, 11/23/2013
    • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

      " Some good stuff here, however by the end I was finding some of it hard to believe. Being prior military I thought it started to read much like many of the other performance documents I've read. A good author can make a bad troop look good. "

      — Andrew, 9/19/2013
    • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

      " If you can get past that one swear word, it's a great read! "

      — Liza, 9/5/2013
    • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

      " I learned that it's my ship. "

      — Jeff, 8/9/2013
    • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

      " Excellent book with great real world appliations of smart business practices. "

      — Michelle, 8/2/2013
    • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

      " just alright. lots of anecdotes that can't be applies unless you're working on a ship or work with people who have to listen to you or else. Entertainment. "

      — Ben, 4/27/2013
    • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

      " good book for any manager or business owner. "

      — Jack, 3/23/2013
    • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

      " Inspiring story of ChangeMaster Leader! "

      — Denise, 3/3/2013
    • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

      " This book is full of great leadership principles! The only downside is that if you have heard Captain Abrashoff speak, you will have already heard most if the stories. "

      — Leigh, 8/13/2012
    • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

      " Usually management & leadership books are about theories, but this one is different! Author manage to weave a story around his life as a commander of a ship, which is really engaging and fun to read! "

      — Shailesh, 2/16/2012
    • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

      " Great leadership book. Lots of common sense advice on how to make your business/leadership role thrive. "

      — Jennifer, 2/15/2012
    • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

      " A new twist on well proven leadership practices. Easy and enjoyable read. "

      — Aaron, 1/19/2012
    • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

      " Interesting insights, though it's pretty much the stuff they teach in B-school. "

      — Roy, 10/24/2011
    • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

      " Great book about creating a sense of ownership in those who serve under you. "

      — Michael, 9/10/2011
    • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

      " Good management book using pratical techniques for leadership "

      — Lynn, 6/4/2011
    • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

      " Great read! I learned a ton from this book and although I don't work in the navy, found a lot of it applicable. We read it for work and continue to bring up the concepts all the time. "

      — Mary, 5/21/2011
    • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

      " Great book about managing your team for optimal productivity, complete buy-in, success, and continual innovation. "

      — Adam, 5/18/2011
    • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

      " By far one of the best management/leadership books I've ever read. It's become a permanent fixture at my fingertips on my desk. If you lead people, you should read this book. "

      — Jim, 2/1/2011
    • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

      " This was a quick and interesting book on Leadership. Some things were common sense and others were clever. The bottom line is to lead by example, take care of your people, be willing to do what you have your people do, among others. "

      — Shaun, 9/13/2010
    • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

      " Best book on leadership/management I've read in a while. Practical stories from the Navy about changing a culture and empowering an organization to "own" its ship. A must read for all leaders. "

      — John, 9/6/2010
    • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

      " This book is full of great leadership principles! The only downside is that if you have heard Captain Abrashoff speak, you will have already heard most if the stories. "

      — Leigh, 8/18/2010
    • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

      " I had to read this book for a management course at work and found it helpful, not only at work, but in my church leadership position as well. "

      — Annette, 7/18/2010
    • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

      " An interesting book of leadership, that is easy to read and understand. A real good read for new leaders! "

      — Poh, 6/6/2010
    • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

      " I enjoyed this book. It is a quick, worthwhile read. "

      — Chip, 5/6/2010
    • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

      " EVERY manager should read this book. Teaches compassion and inspiration. :) "

      — Sarah, 2/28/2010
    • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

      " Very good book to apply to the business world as a sort of analogy to it. Easy and comfortable read with good lessons that can be applied especially for employees who sometimes are not shown the whole picture. "

      — Wayne, 1/29/2010
    • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

      " I learned that it's my ship. "

      — Jeff, 1/19/2010

    About D. Michael Abrashoff

    Captain D. Michael Abrashoff is a graduate of the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, and was a military assistant to the former Secretary of Defense, the Honorable Dr. William J. Perry. Abrashoff left the Navy in 2001 and became the founder and CEO of Grassroots Leadership, Inc., in Boston. The company is dedicated to helping organizations and individuals deliver the best results in a challenging global environment.