1. Professor Feinberg---CSR 309
Morgan Mcdonald
Professor Feinberg---CSR 309

2. Who is Captain D. Michael Abrashoff?
Commander of USS Benfold, “The best damn ship in the Navy.”
Responsible for turning the sullen Benfold crew into a functional, confident team.
Author of “It’s Your Ship”

3. It’s Your Ship A practical guide for every leader
What do all leaders have in common?
The challenge of getting the most out of their team
Leadership is earned, not designed

4. Take command
Motivate team to work with passion, energy, and enthusiasm
See the job through the eyes of the team
Turn to team to give insights on how to perform actions the most efficiently
Show a positive and eager attitude, even if you have no idea what is going on
Give responsibility to teach how you expect things to be done

5. Lead by Example Real leadership is shown through example
Your team is trained through every decision the leader makes and every action they take
Leaders set the tone for everything around them
Always offer a better way to complete a task, if you don’t agree with an order from your supervisor

6. Listen Aggressively
Listening involves giving people the respect they deserve
Establish a personal relationship with each team member
Confidence is Infectious
Tell your team they are the best and the finest—they will start to believe it

7. communicate PURPOSE AND MEANING Find a common goal that inspires all
Develop a compelling reason for why your team should always be enthusiastic
An excellent, innovative idea goes unnoticed if it isn’t communicated effectively
PURPOSE AND MEANING

8. Create a climate of T-R-U-S-T
Trust is something you must earn, and you earn trust by giving it to others
Don’t give up on your team members, even if they have let you down in the past
If a problem arises, followers want to hear directly from the top that everything is OK
People take more risks when they feel trusted --risk taking leads to some great benefits

9. “Every leader needs big ears and zero tolerance for stereotypes”
Look for Results
Encourage your team members to use their own creativity
Make them feel comfortable enough to speak up with their ideas
Promote a freedom of speech concept within your workplace
Challenge your crew beyond their reach

10. …praise and promote risk takers
CALCULATED
Risks
Take a chance on someone you believe in…
…praise and promote risk takers

11. “IF A RULE
DOESN’T MAKE SENSE TO
YOU
CAREFULLY”
LEARN TO
BREAK IT

12. Go beyond the Standard Procedure
Innovation and progress are achieved when you venture beyond standard procedures
Look at the successes and mistakes of others to learn from
Preparation is a direct reflection of the leader
Don’t let bad trends get out of hand
Have your team train in all areas of the operation—this provides for a better understanding of the organization

13. Strengthening others and helping them feel respected helps to improve work
Positive, personal reinforcement is the core of effective leadership
Delegate responsibilities to ones who are ready and willing
Make sure newcomers feel welcomed into your organization
Cross training is important for success
Build up your people

14. Encourage your team to express themselves on a personal and professional level…
…this will help to achieve a new level of success.

15. Generate Unity
Unity involves maximizing the uniqueness of the group to work towards the established common goals
Get your team to work for the good of everyone
Treat everyone with dignity and respect

16. Improve your people’s quality of life
By building up people’s morale, their work improves
Leaders should inspire the people working with them, so that everyone is proud of their place of work
Things actually do get accomplished when you free your workers to have a life on work time

17. Life after Benfold Captain D. Michael Abrashoff
The most rewarding job Captain Abrashoff has ever completed
Job completed with total satisfaction—the Captain’s personal achievement comes from helping others surpass what they thought to be their own potential
Captain D. Michael Abrashoff

18. Leader’s first principle:
OPTIMISM
Rules.
And the Corollary…
Opportunities
NEVER
Cease