Mike Abrashoff

Mike Abrashoff: From Navy Captain to Business Leader. Gain insights from a captain who empowered his crew to achieve greatness.

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Mike was a perfect addition to our event, his talk really helped drive the clarity of our message. He and his staff took a great deal of time to ensure we were on the same page.

Shannon Taft

IMI Precision Engineering

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Why you should book Mike Abrashoff for your next event

As the author of "It's Your Ship," with over 1 million copies sold, Mike's keynote speeches offer direct access to the insights that captivated readers worldwide and transformed the USS Benfold.
Mike Abrashoff's engaging speeches cater to diverse audiences, from board retreats to front-line personnel, Fortune 500s to startups.
Benefit from Mike's proven Leadership Roadmap, offering clear, battle-tested steps for improving your organization's performance. Take away actionable strategies for immediate impact.

Unlock the Power of Leadership & Culture Transformation with Mike Abrashoff. Achieve Breakthrough Results, Inspired by a Navy Captain's Success Story. Engage, Execute, and Thrive with his Proven Strategies. 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.

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Keynotes

KEYNOTE BY MIKE ABRASHOFF: It’s Your Ship – Achieving Breakthrough Performance

When Mike Abrashoff took command of the USS
Benfold
, morale was low, turnover was high and the ship’s performance ranked near the bottom of the Pacific Fleet. Just twelve months later
Benfold
was ranked #1 – using the very same crew. The lesson was clear – leadership matters and culture is everything.

This inspiring talk is for every individual and organization looking for practical and usable ways to take organizational performance to new heights. In Mike’s case, he realized that before the ship’s performance could change, he had to change
his
leadership style. Mike worked to create a culture of trust and empower his crew to take charge and use ingenuity and initiative to improve every aspect of the way things were done. Top down leadership is dead, so when the crew would present a problem, Mike became famous for responding “
What would YOU do? It’s YOUR ship!
” Mike’s presentation leaves audiences with the tools and inspiration to accomplish big goals.

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KEYNOTE BY MIKE ABRASHOFF: No Limits – Don’t Let Goals Become Limitations

Sometimes in our professional lives we might
think
we are in a battle to beat an adversary or a competitor when in actuality we are really in competition with ourselves but just haven’t figured it out yet. When battling the competition, you want to come out on top, if only by one more sale or maybe a few percentage points. Other times, someone at a higher level gives you a goal based on some median expectation set for others.

When Mike Abrashoff took command of a well below-average ship in the U.S. Navy, his goal was to get to average. He initially set average goals and expectations for himself and his crew until one day it dawned on him: his ship could be much better than just average. It was Mike’s eureka moment: realizing they weren’t in competition with anyone but themselves. To be their best they had to stop putting limits on what they believed was possible. That realization changed Mike Abrashoff’s approach to leadership and led the same crew to accomplish one of the most remarkable turnarounds that was chronicled in the
Harvard Business Review
,
Fast Company
magazine and Mike’s
New York Times’
and
Wall Street Journal
bestselling book,
IT’S YOUR SHIP
.

This presentation will challenge audiences to think differently on how to set expectations while realizing the only limits that you have are self-imposed.

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KEYNOTE BY MIKE ABRASHOFF: The Virtual Leader’s Roadmap

Mike Abrashoff had to change his leadership mindset when he took over the near-worst performing ship in the Navy. The situation was dire. If performance did not improve, sailors could have gotten injured…or worse. In response, Mike quickly adopted a new set of principles to guide a new way of leading. His focus was on building trust and authentic ways of engaging. It was about listening to and empowering his crew who then went on to make the USS
Benfold
the best ship in the entire U.S. Navy. These very same principles are the foundation of success for organizations that embrace working virtually.

In the short term, many organizations have found virtual work arrangements actually increase effectiveness of employees. That effectiveness may not be sustainable if leaders and organizations don’t master a new skill-set of how to lead people they can’t see. It’s about measuring results – not activity; and about finding ways to let people know their efforts are appreciated. Those who succeed in leading in the virtual environment will create a decisive competitive advantage.

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KEYNOTE BY MIKE ABRASHOFF: Go Deeper with Half-day and Full-day Programs

Dive deep into the Leadership Roadmap with a half-day or full-day program. The sessions are most often used as a follow-on to Mike’s keynote and provide attendees with powerful tools and strategies to apply in their work environment. Depending on the circumstances, these longer sessions are facilitated by a senior strategist from Mike’s firm, Aegis Performance Group, or Mike himself.

These sessions create an exciting interactive atmosphere where participants examine the key components of high performing leaders, teams and organizations. Inquire for more details and program descriptions.

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Customer Reviews

Mike was a perfect addition to our event, his talk really helped drive the clarity of our message. He and his staff took a great deal of time to ensure we were on the same page.

Shannon Taft IMI Precision Engineering

Mike's personality and message was both inspirational and educational. Several conference attendees have told me that he was the best speaker we've ever had. He certainly was the best way to close out our Symposium! I think we were all ready to take on the world after that address! Thank you for also recognizing those in the audience who had served in the armed services. It meant a lot to them.

Maureen Richmond Mercy Health

Very genuine, sincere and caring!

Amanda Schumacher Schumacher Automotive

Mike, you hit it out of the park, as I knew you would. Your message was on point and was exactly what I was looking for. It emphasized some of the things we were already working on and provided a good foundation for us to build on.

President/CEO Empire Caterpillar Southwest

You were amazing!! Kicking off the convention with a standing ovation is a home run.

CEO Material Handling Equipment Distributors Association

Mike – Your presentation was an absolute home-run and we have the survey responses to back it up. Not only would I recommend you without hesitation, I have already done so

President & CEO The Lancaster Chamber of Commerce & Industry

We have asked Mike Abrashoff to speak to our team twice now and he is in high demand for a third appearance. His message and coaching around leadership is perfect for every level of management in our organization ranging from the General Managers of our stores right up to our CEO.

Chief Operating Officer FIVE GUYS

We have never had such positive feedback so you very much exceeded our expectations. You were quoted numerous times throughout the remainder of the conference which says people took your message to heart and will put it to work in their everyday jobs – exactly what we aimed for!

Director of Staffing Denbury Resources

Any audience that cares about leadership, culture, change management, performance and teamwork would benefit immensely from your presentation. Our group enjoyed not only your message, but also your presentation style. Needless to say, you received very high ratings in our post-conference survey.

Vice President National Association of Chain Drug Stores

The feedback was overwhelmingly positive! I personally have never listened to a better speaker. Your message was tailor made for my team and I look forward to discussing future opportunities with you.

VP TransCanada Energy Operations

Mike’s personality and message was both inspirational and educational. Several conference attendees have told me that he was the best speaker we’ve ever had. He certainly was the best way to close out our Symposium!

Director Public Relations, Mercy Health

In the close to four years I have been here Mike’s presentation was widely recognized as the best by far. He spoke for 75 minutes …no notes… no overheads…. No podium…right out front. His Q/A was outstanding… our managers appreciated that we brought in someone that good. He does not try to impress people with any gimmicks or trendy expressions. I will call on him again and trust him with our most valuable asset…our people

Chief Operation Officer Atlantis Paradise Island, Bahamas

He knocked it out of the park. He was so good and on point that it almost looked like we wrote his script. The group loved him and the parallels to managing a ship and mill are remarkable.

Public Relations and Communications International Paper

Your presentation in New Orleans was outstanding. Not only was it the highest rated of the week (4.95 out 5), it was timely, inspirational and informative.

Sales Trainer Nexstar Network

Mike Abrashoff

Leading Through Empowerment

Mike Abrashoff, the renowned motivational speaker, is the transformative force your organization needs. Known for turning the USS Benfold from the Navy's worst-performing ship into its best in just twelve months, he's a master of leadership and culture transformation.

Booking Mike Abrashoff for your event is your ticket to harnessing his exceptional insights. He doesn't just talk the talk; he walks the walk. His proven Leadership Roadmap offers actionable steps to navigate the choppy seas of organizational change. It's not about turning the ship around, but creating an environment where your team feels safe, empowered, and supported, where anything is possible.

Mike's message resonates across the corporate landscape, as his story has been featured in prestigious publications like The Wall Street Journal and Harvard Business Review. Leaders worldwide identify with his ability to achieve extraordinary results in environments where he couldn't make the rules.

When you book Mike Abrashoff, you secure a compass for your organization's journey. His strategies have reduced expenses by 25%, decreased turnover to an unprecedented 1%, and tripled the rate of promotions. Your ship, your organization, can achieve combat readiness and excellence, just like the USS Benfold.

Mike Abrashoff's message transcends industries and speaks to your specific needs, from enhancing teamwork to fostering innovation, ensuring safety, and promoting accountability. In a world where leadership matters and culture is everything, let Mike be your guide. Make the smart choice – book him for your event and navigate your organization to success.

Blog posts by Mike Abrashoff

Unlock the Secrets of Navy Leadership with Mike Abrashoff: How It Can Transform Your Business!

Navy leadership is a set of principles, traits, and strategies that help leaders navigate difficult situations and lead their teams to success. Navy leadership has been around for centuries and has been used by various naval forces, including the U.S. Navy. In recent years, former Navy Commander Mik

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