Abrashoff Takes Battleship Tactics From Boiler Rooms to Boardrooms

When Mike Abrashoff was named commander of the USS Benfold at age 36, it primarily was known for low morale and a high turnover rate.

On March 28, Abrashoff will tell those in attendance at the 2013 Tomorrow’s Leaders of NWA Conference how he transformed the battleship into the shining star of the Pacific fleet. The conference will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the John Q. Hammons Center in Rogers. Visit www.tomorrowsleadersnwa.com for more information.

Abrashoff’s main message to his crew was “It’s your ship.”

“We had a $1 billion battleship, but the people didn’t feel engaged in what we were trying to do,” he said. “They were simply getting by, not giving it their best.”

By stressing ownership and accountability, Abrashoff achieved his desired culture and performance. He said business leaders can do the same with their employees.

“At the end of the day, it’s the people that drive the business results,” Abrashoff said. “It’s all about how we as leaders show up and not just do our job, but communicate our vision to the people we’re leading. You have to make them understand why it’s important, why it’s in their own best interests.”

Abrashoff said he’ll deliver about 100 such presentations this year, “to everyone from hedge fund managers and CEO forums to boilermakers and ironworkers.”

“I like that I get to learn about all kinds of businesses, and really feel the pulse of the economy, what’s going on out there,” he said. “It’s like getting an MBA by meeting and talking to all these different people.”