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Mike Abrashoff, former Commander of the Guided Missile Destroyer USS Benfold, has spent the last 4 years developing the management techniques he used during his tenure in the Navy into a methodology for application to the business community. He is currently a highly sought after keynote speaker and leadership development consultant. His ideas are more fully explained in his book, “It’s your Ship” which has sold 160,000 copies to date and has been #9 on the NY Times Business Best Sellers List and #7 on the Wall Street Journal List. He has been featured in the Harvard Business Review (March, 2002) and Fast Company (April, 1999).
Mike credits his tenure as Military Assistant to U.S. Secretary of Defense, the Honorable Dr. William J. Perry as critical to his realization of the power of effective leadership. During that period, he traveled to over 50 countries in support of sensitive, national security objectives. But, more importantly, he had the opportunity to assist in the implementation of the Federal Acquisition Reform act of 1994 which revolutionized the military budgeting and procurement processes which has resulted in budgetary savings of over 30% in many new weapons programs.
Critical to the success of that initiative was the realization that people really do make the difference. Mike’s people management skills were honed during his tenure as the Personnel Assignment Officer for over 4,000 Officers for every warship in the U.S. Atlantic Fleet where he matched skills, recognized potential and incorporated vision for leadership positions in every aspect of Naval operations.
For the last 50 years, US corporations have benefited from the management expertise of the US Military. That model stressed a top down, command and control management style which was very successful. But in today’s world of instant communication and information flow that model has proven to be slow to react and ineffective. Through progressive leaders like Mike, the Military services are now scrambling to adjust to the new order which Mike believes will result in the antithesis of top down management - bottom-up or “GrassRoots Leadership” as Mike has coined it.
Service Achievements: Spokane Trophy awarded to USS Benfold, the most combat ready ship in the US Pacific Fleet. Helped draft the Air Defense Plan for US Naval Forces during Desert Storm. Numerous other medals and awards.
Education: US Naval Academy, 1982, Political Science Webster University, 2003, Doctor of Laws (honorary)
Mike is a native of Altoona, PA. and currently resides in Arlington, VA.
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