Leadership Would You Recommend Abrashoff

¶ … leadership would you recommend Abrashoff use to get the ship back on course and inspire sailors to give their best?

Captain Abrashoff is commanding a ship that is one of the best-equipped, most modern ships in the U.S. Navy. However, the morale of the sailors on the U.S.S. Benfold is extremely low, given the sailor's poor living conditions and inconsistent training. Crew members are frustrated because they feel that much of their day is devoted to pointless tasks. They do not understand their duties or how the orders fit into the 'big picture' of their organization's larger mission and plan. In contrast to the usual demeanor of a military leader, Abrashoff must adopt a more participatory managerial style, and listen to his crew's concerns. Abrashoff's problem is not one of technology or logistics: it is a human resource-related issue. The crew does not feel as if it is respected, so it is not exerting itself, using 100% of its potential effort, which is required on a military ship.

The quality of the food, the appearance of the ship -- all of these small details matter in a leadership-driven environment. By changing the sailor's physical circumstances and making decisions more participatory, Abrashoff can change the sailors' attitudes. Abrashoff must begin having meetings with the crew to solicit their input about how the management of the ship should take place. Abrashoff must assume that the sailors want to serve their country to their fullest capacity, and the crew's attitude is one of his assets. The sailors must not be seen as his adversaries in improvement measures. Individuals who seek out a military career no longer have to do so: they enlist because they desire to show their leadership skills.

Only through a non-dictatorial and participatory leadership style can Abrashoff involve the sailors in the changes that need to take place to make the U.S.S. Benfold a high-functioning ship. Often it is individuals involved in the day-to-day workings of a ship that have the most potentially valuable input to give, regarding the standard operating procedures of the unit. And the very act of asking for input can be a morale-booster, especially when dealing with the typical personality profile of an individual who chooses to enlist in the military.

Question # 2: Do you believe a person can change his or her leadership style?

The ideal leader should be highly adaptive to his or her circumstances. For example, a commander of a Navy ship should be able to use a participatory and responsive leadership style in day-to-day affairs, and allow the crew enough autonomy to feel invested in the experience of running the vessel. But that same commander must be able to use a more authoritarian style when commanding the ship during the intensity of a battle situation. Switching between both leadership styles makes for a better crew. Even when under the tight watch of a commander, units must be able to make intelligent, split-second independent decisions. This quality is fostered by using participatory leadership techniques during the everyday life on the ship.