10 Powerful Takeaways From Captain Abrashoff

If you took the time to read parts one and two of this blog series, congratulations! You now know what I consider to be the most powerful leadership takeaways from Captain Michael Abrashoff’s book, IT’S YOUR SHIP. I commend you on your commitment to finding information that can contribute to the growth of your leadership skills. Reading the Captain’s book opened my eyes to specific areas where I was making poor decisions and generally going wrong due to my lack of leadership experience. Reading of the many lessons Captain Abrashoff learned throughout his career was a valuable investment of my time and I believe it would be a valuable use of your time too. I’m confident that you will find your own takeaways that will move you further along your own leadership journey.

In the first two blogs I discussed the three questions you should consider whenever things go wrong under your leadership as well as the effective and efficient Newspaper Test. In this blog, I’ll cover a takeaway that relates more to the state of mind one should bring to both your life and your “ship”.

As it’s been said, “A ship in harbour is safe but that is not what ships are built for”.

As a driven, goal-oriented leader, there’s no doubt you will often find yourself pushing the envelope and leap-frogging boundaries to overcome seemingly insurmountable hurdles and complete challenging tasks. I’ve been in countless situations where I didn’t have a clue about what I was doing but forged ahead anyway, knowing my will to win would carry me through. This stubbornness is part of my character but happily for me, as I mature, I’ve been able to build it into my foundational principles and they give me a sturdy footing. Captain Abrashoff’s book outlines his principles, his sturdy footing, and that’s what I’ll share with you now.

1. Keep your priorities in focus.
2. Always prepare for “what-if” moments (the current disruptions to normal life due to the COVID-19 pandemic couldn’t be a better example).
3. Remember that those who have information prosper. Those that don’t, whither.
4. Praise is infinitely more powerful than punishment.
5. Be the rising tide that lifts all boats.
6. Jealousy and envy are powerful emotions and, if acted upon, can cause serious problems. Avoid acting on these emotions at all costs. They are for the weak of mind.
7. Support your people through tough times.
8. Counsel continuously and honestly.
9. Whenever people do something great, let them know you saw it.
10. Whenever people come up short, do not let it fester. Get it out in the open ASAP.

If you can dial in those ten principles, or even some of them, you will find yourself in a stronger leadership position than most. It won’t always be easy but effective leadership is a skill that can be mastered. Few will, but it can be done. And even for the most effective, periods of falling short will happen. The trick is to get yourself back on track as quickly as possible without beating yourself up.

I sincerely hope that the information in these three blogs will bring value to your leadership development. As you consciously consider Captain Abrashoff’s Three Questions when things go poorly, as you efficiently and effectively apply the Newspaper Test to your action plans and as you live out his Ten Principles to the best of your ability, I encourage you to always keep top-of-mind Captain Abrashoff’s closing words:

1. Optimism rules.
2. Opportunities never end.
3. It’s your ship, make it the best one.