Voices of Self Funding Voices of Executive Forum 2026 – Mike Abrashoff
9 snips
Jan 15, 2026 
Mike Abrashoff, former commander of the USS Benfold and bestselling author, transformed a failing ship into a top performer while advising organizations on leadership and culture. He recounts winning over skeptical leaders, replacing fear with respect, empowering people to act like owners, and why trust and human relationships matter in a world of AI. Practical stories and bold leadership moves.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Turning A Failing Ship Around
- When Mike Abrashoff took command the crew cheered the previous captain's departure, a clear sign of a toxic culture.
- He focused on fixing what embarrassed him and rebuilt culture without extra budget or personnel changes.
Own Communication To Win Buy-In
- When change meets resistance, ask why people aren't with you instead of blaming them.
- Communicate goals clearly and empower leaders to interview and act on crew feedback.
Influence Yourself To Influence Outcomes
- Focus on what you can influence, especially your self-awareness and intellectual curiosity.
- Cultivate a culture of continuous improvement that isn't satisfied with the status quo.
