MORGAN MCDONALDProfessor Feinberg---CSR 309

o Commander of USS Benfold, “The best damn ship in the Navy.”o Responsible for turning the sullen Benfold crew into a functional, confident team.o Author of “It’s Your Ship”

Who is Captain D. Michael Abrashoff?

It’s Your Shipo A practical guide for every

leader

o What do all leaders have in common?• The challenge of getting the

most out of their team

o Leadership is earned, not designed

TA K E C O M M A N D

• 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•

Lead by Exampleo Real leadership is shown through

exampleo Your team is trained through every

decision the leader makes and every action they take

o Leaders set the tone for everything around them

o Always offer a better way to complete a task, if you don’t agree with an order from your supervisor

Listen Aggressivelyo Listening involves

giving people the respect they deserve

o Establish a personal relationship with each team member

o Confidence is Infectious• Tell your team they are

the best and the finest—they will start to believe it

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

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

• 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

Look for Results

“Every leader needs big ears and zero tolerance for stereotypes”

…praise and promote risk takers

TakeCALCULATED

Risks

Take a chance on someone you believe in…

CAREFULLY”

“IF A RULE DOESN’T MAKE

SENSETO YOULEARN

TO BREAK IT

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

Build up your people

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

…this will help to achieve a new level of success.

Encourage your team to express themselves on a personal and professional level…

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

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

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

Life after Benfold

Captain D. Michael Abrashoff

LEADER’S FIRST PRINCIPLE:

OPTIMISMRules.

And the Corollary…OpportunitiesNEVE

RCease