Mike Abrashoff

Former Commander, USS Benfold and Author, It’s Your Ship
Mike
Abrashoff

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Keynote
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Fee ranges

Domestic In-Person (USA):

$25,000 - $45,000*

International In-Person:

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Virtual:

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* Ranges are presented as a guideline only. Speaker fees vary by engagement type and are subject to change without notice. For an exact quote, please contact Gravity Speakers.

Traveling from

Florida, USA

About

Mike Abrashoff was the most-junior officer in the Pacific Fleet when he took command of the near-worst performing ship. Twelve months later, the USS Benfold was the best ship in the entire Navy – using the same crew. The story of that stunning transformation has lessons for every organization: leadership matters – and culture is everything. Mike’s written four books – his first, It’s Your Ship, has sold over 1.3 million copies. His Leadership Roadmap offers clear, battle-tested, and actionable steps. Mike shows people at every level of the organization how to engage and take incremental steps toward change that can make a dramatic difference at work. Mike is clear, “I didn’t turn the ship around – my crew did that.  What I did was to create an environment where they felt safe, empowered and supported. When you do that, anything is possible.”

In many ways, what Mike was able to do with the USS Benfold was an extreme example of the same problems facing many organizations today. That’s why dozens of publications including The Wall Street Journal, Harvard Business Review, and Fast Company have cited Mike’s story as an inspiring lesson for business. Leaders especially identify with Mike’s being accountable for the results in an environment where he couldn’t make the rules.

“When my crew came to me with a problem, I’d say ‘It’s your ship – how would you fix it?’.” Mike focused on the one thing he could influence: his crew’s attitude, because culture is the ultimate competitive weapon for any organization.

Mike’s established a set of management principles that he calls The Leadership Roadmap. At the core of his leadership approach on Benfold was a process of replacing command and control with commitment and cohesion, and engaging the hearts, minds, and loyalties of workers with conviction and humility. “The most important thing that a captain can do is to see the ship through the eyes of the crew. The idea is to empower every individual to share the responsibility of achieving excellence.”

By every measure, these principles achieved breakthrough results: turnover decreased to an unprecedented 1%; the rate of promotions tripled; and the crew slashed operating expenses by 25%. Regarded as the finest ship in the Pacific Fleet, Benfold won the prestigious Spokane Trophy for having the highest degree of combat readiness. This remarkable turnaround was accomplished by the very same crew that had performed so poorly just months before.

Mike is author of four books. His first, It’s Your Ship, has a timeless message: don’t use outside forces that stand in your way as excuses – control the things you can influence and amazing results will happen. His next books, It’s Our Ship and Get Your Ship Together, showed how these principles have been put into action by business leaders in their own organizations. Mike's latest book, Ship Happens (co-authored with Stacey Cunningham), serves as a guide for leaders, detailing his strategies for transforming USS Benfold into the top-performing ship.

A popular keynote speaker for audiences looking to ramp up organizational performance, Mike has spoken to every industry and kind of audience – from board retreats to front line personnel; from sales groups to universities; from Fortune 500s to startups.  He inspires audiences to rethink their beliefs about leadership and organizational culture and tailors the message to focus on engagement, execution, change, safety, diversity, leadership, teamwork, innovation, accountability and more.

Prior to commanding USS Benfold, Mike served as the Military Assistant to Secretary of Defense William J. Perry. He also helped draft the air defense plan for naval forces in the Persian Gulf in 1990, coinciding with Iraq's invasion of Kuwait; and served as the executive officer of the Cruiser Shiloh, where he deployed to the Persian Gulf in support of United Nations sanctions against Iraq.

Mike Abrashoff is the founder of Aegis Performance Group, a consulting firm which works with and supports leaders as they address leadership, talent and performance challenges within their organizations. Mike and his team prompt leaders at all levels to re-imagine their leadership thinking and create new ways to elevate individual, team and organizational performance.

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Topics

Topics

It's Your Ship: Achieving Breakthrough Performance

The Virtual Leader’s Roadmap

No Limits: Unleashing Breakthrough Performance

Go Deeper with Half-Day and Full-Day Programs

Videos

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=2&v=tdKorfckXXE
Performance Expert Mike Abrashoff: Becoming the Best Ship in the U.S. Navy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97B6iM9f9dw
Top Leadership Speaker Mike Abrashoff: Don’t Impose Limits on Yourself
https://vimeo.com/182017460
The Power of Servant Leadership

Testimonials

“We got fantastic feedback from everyone. I really appreciate the genuine sincerity you exude. Especially when you jumped into the mindsets of our people, suggesting for us to all stand and clap for Jeff Kish. That was a WOW moment that just highlighted how much of a good guy you are to so many people. Your real-time leadership shined through at that very moment. It’s one of the reasons you have been so successful in helping others throughout your life. It must give you a good feeling knowing that you can continue helping others to help themselves since you left the Benfold. And, I’m sure you had those personal attributes long before you assumed command of that ship.”

Chief Operating Officer, Bartlett Tree Experts

“Your talk spoke to both sides of my company - the leaders who set culture and the employees who drive the results and made them feel more like one. I'm confident that together our teams will grow and challenge the status quo and create more ownership in building our future.”

CEO, Cars.com

“Everything went great! Mike was an amazing speaker and really incorporated the theme of our conference into his talk. I heard nothing but praise afterwards!” – Public Relations Manager, Zipcar “Everyone loved Mike. He got a standing ovation. First time I’ve seen a keynote receive one in my history with ADESA.”

Automotive Dealer Exchange Services of America

“Mike has just been on stage and we were blown away, he was excellent. Already had lots of positive comments already from our delegates and sponsors.”

Communications and Development Manager, Cayman Alternative Investment Summit (CAID Ltd.)

“Your talk was spot on. Your message resonated with the audience and their comments were lighting up the app!! Thank you for focusing in on the retention theme as it is top of mind for all the leaders in the room. Now I know why Fidelity has invited you to speak so many times!”

Events Manager, Fidelity Investments

“Our team enjoyed greatly what you had to say, and the way in which you told the stories. As you know, we are undergoing our own performance and culture transformation - it is an exciting time. And it is encouraging to hear the analogy from the experience that you and your crew shared.”

Head of Global Commercial Banking, Bank of America

“Mike Abrashoff's remarkable story regarding the transformation of USS Benfold was extremely well received and appreciated by our event participants, who found great inspiration and practicality in his remarks. These are challenging times for many and his perspective on leadership and leading during difficult times is timely as well as thought-provoking.”

California Bankers Association

“Everyone loved Mike. He was a huge hit and his message certainly resonated with our team.”

Lesley Andersen, OMERS Private Equity, Inc.