Strong cultures don’t happen by accident. They’re built intentionally, especially in high-stakes environments where trust, accountability, and performance must align every day. That belief sits at the heart of Responsible Care® and is also the defining principle behind this year’s keynote address at ACC’s Responsible Care® and Sustainability Conference & Expo.
Keynote speaker Mike Abrashoff, former U.S. Navy Commander and leadership expert, will bring a powerful, practical perspective on how culture drives results. Abrashoff is known for his transformative leadership as Commander of the USS Benfold, where he dramatically improved operational performance and morale by fostering a culture of trust, accountability, and innovation. When he took command, the Benfold ranked among the Navy’s lowest–performing ships, and within twelve months, using the same crew, the best ship in the entire Navy.
In the Q&A below, he shares insights on overcoming distrust, why culture really is “everything,” and how individuals, regardless of title, can make a meaningful impact.
Your leadership philosophy focuses on listening to understand and removing barriers so people can excel. What were the most challenging barriers to overcome when you took over the USS Benfold? How did you address those challenges?
The most significant barrier I had to overcome when I took command of USS Benfold was a lack of trust not only up and down the chain of command, but also across departments. There can be no improvement in performance when you have finger pointing and backstabbing. We had a culture of fixing the blame first and then getting around to fixing the problem. When people realized that they weren’t going to get belittled or demeaned, they tended to start taking accountability and from there we could begin to improve our business practices.
You state that for companies, “culture is everything.” How does a positive culture where employees feel valued translate into business and financial success for a company?
When employees feel valued and connected to their work, they tend to take great ownership and accountability for the results, thereby delivering superior performance. If you show me an organization where all leaders do is issue orders, I will show you an organization where all you get are order takers who just do what they’re told to do and don’t go the extra mile. I think it’s far better to create a culture where people take pride and ownership that translates into better results when it comes to quality and business results.
What’s one piece of advice you would give to every employee who wants to make a meaningful impact, regardless of their role or seniority?
Learn to think like your boss and then anticipate what needs to be done before they ever ask for it. Your boss will then learn to trust you and then you can drive your own schedule and get things done on your timetable instead of always being told what to do and losing control of your schedule. It’s frustrating to always have to respond to changing needs and requirements and never have the time to tend to your priorities.
We look forward to continuing these conversations at the Responsible Care® and Sustainability Conference & Expo. Register today.