AuthorStacey C. Cunningham  USS Benfold is a ship that once ranked near the bottom of the Pacific fleet. It was a vessel
plagued by low morale, dysfunctional relationships, and a crew that had grown disillusioned with their previous captain. As the PA system announced the departure of their now former leader, instead of bidding him a fond farewell, the crew erupted into cheers of relief. It was at this moment that Captain Mike Abrashoff knew that his crew needed him to lead differently. Not an Ordinary Leader Captain Abrashoff possessed an uncanny ability to perceive the hidden connections between performance and leadership. Instead of dwelling on the past, he pondered a crucial question: How could he prevent the same fate from befalling him in two years' time? The crew he inherited was battle-hardened but harbored deep resentment towards their former captain. Abrashoff understood that being liked wasn't the key to success; respect, trust, and effectiveness were the cornerstones of great leadership. With this newfound realization, he embarked on a mission to transform USS Benfold into “the best damn ship in the Navy”. The Root Cause To gain a deeper understanding of the ship's current state, Captain Abrashoff conducted exit surveys. The feedback he received painted a vivid picture of the crew's grievances. Topping the list were issues like a lack of respect, the inability to make a meaningful impact, being unheard, and an absence of rewarding responsibilities. Low pay was on the list, but to Captain Abrashoff’s surprise, it was #5 on the list. Instead of fixating on what he couldn’t control, Abrashoff focused on those top four issues he could influence: showing respect to his crew, connecting them to a greater purpose, listening aggressively with the intent to understand the crew’s perspective, and building his crew up with the training they needed to take on more rewarding responsibilities.
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AuthorStacey C. Cunningham  In the realm of leadership, your 'crew' closely observes your every move. Your behavior, reactions, words, and responses send powerful signals about what you consider acceptable, valuable, and important. If you aspire to inspire trust, open communication, and excellence within your crew, your actions and words must cultivate a culture that embodies these qualities.
The Importance of Signals Captain Mike Abrashoff emphasizes that every decision made and every action taken trains the crew on how to operate. The signals you send, consciously or unconsciously, play a pivotal role in establishing the norms and values of your team. As he states, "The signals you send are important. You train your crew how to operate through every decision you make and every action you take" (ch.3). The Power of Empathetic Leadership Abrashoff shares a compelling story of a seemingly straightforward case involving a soldier who fell asleep on watch. Rather than reacting swiftly and punitively, Abrashoff chose a different path. He sought to understand why the sailor had fallen asleep. It turned out that the same soldier had been assigned to clean the workspace until 8 AM due to staffing shortages and then immediately assigned to watch. This incident served as a powerful wake-up call for Abrashoff, highlighting the importance of approachability and open communication. AuthorStacey C. Cunningham  Have you ever encountered someone who describes their workplace as "like a family"? We spend a significant portion of our lives at work, making it crucial to develop meaningful relationships with our colleagues. Consider the profound bond shared by military personnel, who refer to each other as brothers and sisters. Despite disagreements or conflicts, their unwavering connection remains unbreakable. Similarly, fostering strong relationships within organizations can yield numerous benefits, including enhanced employee retention, increased innovation, and heightened productivity. Let's explore a real-life example featuring one of our healthcare clients that successfully tackled inter-site disconnect through our Culture of Excellence and Innovation program.
Creating Unity Within a Network: Our healthcare client faced a challenge—a "them vs. us" mindset among different sites within their network, and a lack of respect for the cultures within each site. To address this issue, our team initiated the Culture of Excellence and Innovation program, which aimed to uncover the root causes of the discord and identify potential solutions. It became evident that each site possessed a unique identity and culture, deserving of respect and understanding. However, it was crucial to unite these sites under a common network banner to facilitate collaboration and shared goals. Fostering Connection through Engaging Activities: Recognizing the importance of forging connections and building a sense of community, the team devised a plan to bring the sites together. They organized a series of engaging activities that allowed colleagues from different sites to interact, get to know one another, and have fun. To further strengthen the bond, they extended invitations to colleagues' families, recognizing the integral role they play in employees' lives. Initially expecting around 100 attendees for their first event, the team was astonished when a staggering 500 people eagerly signed up—truly exceeding expectations! AuthorStacey C. Cunningham  The importance of building a climate of trust, dignity, and respect within your crew cannot be understated. As a leader, it is not enough to merely be visible; you must consciously try to truly see and hear each individual in your team. By creating authentic connections and valuing the uniqueness of every crew member, you unlock their hidden potential. These connections can only be achieved by actively listening and building meaningful relationships.
The Power of Being Seen Inspired by the leadership of William Perry, United States Secretary of Defense, Mike understood the significance of truly seeing and hearing people. Perry's undivided attention allowed individuals to flourish in his presence. Abrashoff adopted this approach when he took command of USS Benfold, making it his personal goal to treat every encounter as the most important moment. By giving someone your full attention, you show respect and prioritize what is important to them. They cease being just a member of your crew and become an individual whose thoughts and ideas are valued. AuthorStacey C. Cunningham  Did you know that the average worker spends a staggering 28% of their workweek managing emails? That's valuable time that could be utilized for more important tasks. However, by implementing simple yet effective email management strategies, you can potentially save 1-2 hours per day. Imagine the possibilities of having an extra 8-16 hours in your week—taking time off, tackling crucial responsibilities, or indulging in much-needed rest and relaxation!
Identifying the Email Challenge: Our recent client survey revealed that 90% of their staff desired training to address timing, volume, and general email management. As participants in our Culture of Excellence and Innovation program, this team embraced the challenge of finding solutions that would have a profound impact throughout their organization. Email overload is a common struggle shared by many clients we work with, alongside the burden of excessive meetings. However, there is no one-size-fits-all solution to these issues. AuthorStacey C. Cunningham  Are you yearning for growth and advancement in a position that stifles your leadership potential Perhaps you are looking for ways to establish yourself as a key player in your organization.
The time has come to start thinking like a boss! Captain Mike Abrashoff discovered the power of thinking like his boss and reaping the benefits it brought. Adopting a strategic mindset and anticipating your superiors' needs can enhance your performance and prepare you for future leadership roles. The Path to Leadership Excellence Abrashoff's journey taught him the distinction between being an individual contributor and a team leader. To grasp this distinction, he had to develop the ability to think like his boss. This shift in mindset elevated his performance and prepared him for higher-ranking roles within the Navy. Anticipating the Needs of Your Boss Incorporating the expectations of your boss into your team's goals is crucial to build trust and establish authority. When making decisions and completing tasks, put yourself in "the shoes of your boss." By aligning your work with your leader's objectives, you proactively demonstrate your commitment to the organization's success. Abrashoff recognized that his boss desired a ship that safely fulfilled operational responsibilities, stayed under budget, fostered high morale, and retained talented sailors. AuthorStacey C. Cunningham  Have you ever had one of those days where it seems like everything that could go wrong, does? Your carefully laid plans are derailed by unexpected challenges, and you're left feeling stressed and overwhelmed. We’ve all had those days where our to-do list at the end of the day is just as long, if not longer than when we started our day!
Here at Aegis, we like to say…SHIP HAPPENS! The good news is that you're not alone. As leaders, we all face challenges on a regular basis. But what separates the effective leaders from the rest is their ability to embrace these challenges and lead with confidence. So how do you do it? Your first step is to surround yourself with people and resources that can support you when faced with a difficult situation. We’re here to be that person and source of information for you! Be sure to follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and subscribe to our mailing list if you haven’t already (click here to sign up). Here are a few tips to embrace next time SHIP HAPPENS! AuthorStacey C. Cunningham  In an incredible success story, one of our healthcare clients witnessed a remarkable 56% surge in reward and recognition within their organization. Through our transformative Culture of Excellence and Innovation program, they identified a critical opportunity to tackle retention issues and enhance engagement by addressing the under-utilization of their existing reward and recognition platform.
The Impact of Recognition: Research conducted by Gallup has consistently shown that organizations with robust recognition programs experience a staggering 31% lower turnover rate. These organizations understand the significance of recognition and reward in fostering a culture of engagement and commitment. Furthermore, engaged workforces within such organizations demonstrate a remarkable 20% increase in productivity compared to their disengaged counterparts... AuthorCaptain D. Michael Abrashoff  One of the critical issues facing organizations today is safety...not just safety in the workplace but safety in all facets of our personal lives. After all, if people get injured at home, it affects their on-the-job performance, as well as medical costs.
No matter how hard we may try, you can't order safety. It's a culture we have to create and each person has to feel it personally. A US Navy destroyer is an inherently dangerous place and no Captain, no matter how good he or she thinks they are, can order safety. In the year prior to taking command of USS Benfold, 31 sailors out of a workforce of 310 were involved in some type of injury producing mishap. The first afternoon after I took command of the ship, one of my sailors was involved in a DUI off base after going to a bar after work. The very night I took command of the ship, one of my sailors was severely beaten in a mugging because he walked out the wrong gate of the base after sunset in one of the worst parts of town. It was a newly reporting sailor who didn't know that you don't go to that part of town after sunset. That fact wasn't included in our welcome aboard program for newly reporting personnel... |
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