Oktober 2-2025

By: Dhania Puspa

Leadership is both an art and a science. On one hand, leaders are expected to inspire, motivate, and guide people. On the other hand, they must think strategically, make sound decisions, and steer their organizations toward success. In today’s fast-changing business world, leadership is no longer just about holding authority—it is about taking responsibility to navigate the organizational ship toward the right destination.

The book “It’s Your Ship” by Captain D. Michael Abrashoff offers timeless lessons in leadership. His philosophy highlights three critical pillars: creating a strong sense of ownership, providing clear and right direction, and practicing decision-making grounded in facts, data, and common sense. These principles are not just relevant for the military but are equally powerful in business, professional organizations, and modern workplaces.

1. Sense of Ownership: Turning Work into Personal Commitment

One of the biggest challenges in organizations is disengagement—people working simply because they have to, not because they care. They clock in and clock out without truly connecting to the mission.

A leader’s role is to transform this mindset by cultivating a sense of ownership. Ownership means that individuals see themselves not just as employees, but as co-stewards of the organization’s success.

Why is ownership essential?

• It creates accountability. People who feel ownership refuse to deliver poor-quality work.
• It sparks creativity. Ownership empowers individuals to contribute ideas, not just follow orders.
• It builds loyalty. People are less likely to abandon something they perceive as their own.

How can leaders nurture ownership?

• By involving people in decision-making, no matter how small.
• By recognizing contributions so that individuals see their impact.
• By connecting everyday tasks to the broader organizational purpose.

When ownership takes root, the team transforms from passive workers into active contributors. The organization becomes more adaptive, dynamic, and passionate about results.

2. Right Direction: Guiding with Strategic Clarity

An organization with talented people can still fail if it lacks clear direction. Just like a ship without a compass, it may be moving—but with no guarantee it’s heading where it should.

This is where leaders must provide right direction. Leadership is not only about managing the present but also about designing the future. Clear direction ensures that every action has meaning, and that energy is not wasted on pursuits disconnected from the vision.

What does the right direction mean?

• A vision that is practical, not just empty slogans.
• A strategy that bridges long-term goals with everyday actions.
• Priorities that help the team understand what matters most.

The role of leaders in providing direction:

• Translating big-picture vision into language everyone understands.
• Ensuring every initiative aligns with organizational strategy.
• Acting as a constant reminder so the team stays on course despite challenges.

When a team has clear direction, they don’t just perform tasks—they understand why those tasks matter. This sense of alignment creates resilience and focus, especially in uncertain times.

3. Decision-Making: Balancing Facts, Data, and Common Sense

Decision-making is where leadership is truly tested. Poor decisions can derail trust and momentum, while wise decisions can propel an organization forward.

Abrashoff emphasized a simple yet powerful principle: make decisions based on facts, data, and common sense.

Why does this approach matter?

• Facts and data prevent leaders from relying solely on assumptions.
• Common sense ensures decisions remain practical and realistic.
• The balance makes decisions both logical on paper and executable in reality.

Steps for wise decision-making:

1. Gather relevant information before rushing into action.
2. Listen to those closest to the issue—they often hold valuable insights.
3. Evaluate risks and opportunities with objectivity.
4. Use intuition to fill the gaps data cannot answer.
5. Make the decision, communicate it clearly, and own the outcome.

Great leaders are neither paralyzed by fear of failure nor reckless in their choices. They understand that decision-making is a blend of science and judgment—leveraging analytics while honoring practical wisdom.

Integrating the Three Leadership Pillars

Sense of ownership, right direction, and decision-making do not work in isolation. They are deeply interconnected and reinforce each other.

• Ownership creates engagement and accountability.
• Direction channels that engagement toward meaningful outcomes.
• Decision-making ensures every step aligns with purpose and delivers real results.

Without ownership, teams disengage. Without direction, energy scatters. Without wise decisions, even the best strategy collapses.

The most effective leaders are those who weave these three elements into their daily leadership practices.

“It’s Your Ship” reminds us that leadership is not about titles—it is about responsibility. True leadership happens when people feel ownership, when the organization has a clear direction, and when decisions are made with both intelligence and common sense.

Organizations succeed not because they have the smartest leader, but because they foster teams of people who feel deeply involved, move together toward a clear purpose, and are guided by sound decisions.

By embracing these principles, any leader can transform their “ship” into the best-performing vessel in their field.

Are you ready to apply the “It’s Your Ship” philosophy in your organization?
Qando Qoaching offers leadership training programs designed to cultivate ownership, strengthen strategic clarity, and sharpen decision-making based on data and practical wisdom.

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Together, we step forward toward a Great Indonesia!