Get Your Ship Together: How Great Leaders Inspire Ownership from the Keel Up

by D. Michael Abrashoff

Former U.S. Navy Commander Michael Abrashoff attracted worldwide media attention for his success in turning around a struggling ship, the USS "Benfold"--the subject of his acclaimed bestseller, "It's Your Ship." Since then, he's been a fixture on the business lecture circuit, spreading an empowering message that any organization can be turned around with compassionate but firm leadership.
Abrashoff never claimed to have all the answers. He also knew that there were plenty of other creative leaders in the navy, army, air force, marine corps, and even the coast guard who could teach businesspeople how to motivate, inspire, and get great results under pressure. So he asked around, found some fascinating people in every branch of the U.S. military and the business world, and interviewed them about leadership and teambuilding. The result is "Get Your Ship Together"--a book that will be just as valuable as "It's Your Ship."
For example, Abrashoff introduces us to a working-class enlisted man who rose rapidly in the navy for his creative leadership under fire; an army platoon leader who fought in Afghanistan; the first woman to fly an Apache helicopter in combat; a former commander of the air force's elite Blue Angels; and many other unsung heroes. Abrashoff distills their stories into fresh lessons that can be applied in the business world, such as: Make a contract with your people and honor it Develop your subordinates better so you can buy back a little quality of life Conduct the battle on your terms, not those of your adversary

Genres: Leadership, Nonfiction, Business, Self Help

200 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

D. Michael Abrashoff served for almost twenty years in the U.S. Navy, culminating in a tour of duty as captain of the $1 billion warship USS Benfold. After leaving the navy, he wrote a bestseller about progressive leadership called It’s Your Ship. He now lectures to business audiences around the country.

Reviews

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

This felt like a regurgitation of the first book but with different leaders he has known throughout his career. It should have been an article.

[Fred Fontz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Get Your Ship Together is the second book by D. Michael Abrashoff, and while I preferred his first book, It’s Your Ship, this follow-up is still a solid read. Part of my preference may be due to familiarity, as some of the stories in this book overlap with those in the first. However, Abrashoff’s approachable writing style and straightforward concepts make this book engaging and easy to understand. His stories provide clear, practical examples that effectively illustrate his leadership principles, which adds real value for readers.

While Get Your Ship Together revisits some familiar ground, it continues to offer fresh insights into effective management and leadership, reinforcing key ideas in an accessible way. Abrashoff’s storytelling is one of his strengths, and his anecdotes bring each lesson to life, making the book both enjoyable and educational.

If you’re a fan of Abrashoff’s approach, this is definitely a worthwhile read, and I’m looking forward to diving into his third book. Get Your Ship Together may not completely break new ground, but it’s a strong companion to his earlier work that reinforces practical lessons in leadership.

[Daniel Osborne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leadership For Those With a Leaky Bucket

As a leader, it can become par for the course to becoming discouraged.

This book is incredible; the stories and lessons are arresting and vivid in nature.

Feeling down, or have a boss to cheer up?


Share. This. Book.

[Barry Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author of It’s Your Ship uses a series of unsung leaders to introduce principles that demonstrate “how great leaders inspire ownership from the keel up.” He includes more of his stories from his navy experience, but focuses primarily on the six individuals’ stories, providing insights on commonsense leadership from their experiences. For a relatively small book (197 pages), this is chock full of insights.

[John Hibbs · Rating 3 out of 5]

Skimmed this one. Contained a plethora of platitudes.

[Sheila Embry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent advice on everyday leadership polices using naval ships as an examples.

[Rob Roy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Stories of other leaders with examples of methods.

[Gamal Mack · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are looking to build a team this is a great foundation to build your playbook upon.