Publisher, Hachette Audio (January 2006)

Management Techniques from the Best Damn Ship in the Navy

BUSINESS IS WAR, ARE YOU IN SHAPE TO FIGHT THE NEXT BATTLE?

In the U.S. Navy preparedness is everything-and the lives of sailors and the safety of the nation are at stake. But when Captain D. Michael Abrashoff took over the USS Benfold, the high-tech fighting ship was anything but ready. Morale was low and performance was poor. Abrashoff had to make changes quick. In this remarkable book he tells how he transformed the USS Benfold into an award-winning model of efficiency and success. Along the way, Captain Abrashoff offers real-world leadership advice for any business:

* Start with yourself-As the Benfold's new captain, Abrashoff had to radically revamp his own leadership style to meet his goals for his ship.

* See your ship through the eyes of your crew-The Benfold sailors had some legitimate gripes…and some remarkable new ideas.

* Communicate, communicate, communicate-His crew would eventually call him "Megaphone Mike," since they heard from him so often.

* Standard procedures be damned! Abrashoff made moves that defied traditional Navy protocols. Guess what? They worked!

About the Author: Former Commanding Officer, USS Benfold, United States Navy Author, Founder and CEO of GrassRoots Leadership, Inc.

As one of the youngest commanding officers in the Navy's Pacific Fleet, following his post as Military Assistant to the Secretary of Defense, Mike took command of his first ship and wasted no time instituting radical changes. Antiquated, do-as-I-say leadership practices literally went overboard when Mike stepped aboard USS Benfold. Mike went to work on one of the lowest retention rates and poorest performing ships, solving core problems with grassroots solutions. Practices that included converting dated command and control with commitment and cohesion to Mike's greatest asset in any situation—People. "You need to recruit your people everyday even though you already have them onboard." Immediately after leaving the Navy, Mike created GrassRoots Leadership, advising others on how to empower their people while increasing profits and cutting costs. Mike continues to spread his message through his first book, "It's Your Ship," published by Warner Books.