Providing Insights on Leadership and Success. Coach Bechler is a John Maxwell Leadership Team Member.
“Not all readers are leaders but all leaders are readers.” (Harry S. Truman)We must continually learn and one of the best ways is to read books. I have previously posted some books for coaches and books for leaders. Many of these books are by very popular authors and are on most bookshelves across the nation.
However, I have put together a list of 7 books that you might not have heard of but can help you maximize your potential influence and increase your leadership skills.
Chris Rollins is a Master Trainer in the DISC Model of Human Behavior and a Founding Partner with the global John Maxwell Team. He speaks and trains using his proprietary 3C Model of Performance (Communicate, Connect, Convert) to address the crucial areas of Communication, Leadership, & Sales that every organization must address to achieve massive & sustainable top & bottom line growth. Chris has shared the speaking stage with speakers such as John Maxwell, Les Brown, & Brian Tracy, among others. Chris brings an uplifting, encouraging, yet challenging delivery style that has helped inspire audiences to take action that leads to achieving their true potential.
In today’s episode, we discuss:
Todd Gongwer is the best-selling author of “LEAD…for God’s Sake. The book has been called a “game changer” by national championship football coach Urban Meyer. It has been credited with having a huge impact on Coach Meyer’s decision to come out of the broadcast booth and take over the reigns of the Ohio State Buckeyes.
Todd is first and foremost, a husband and father. His expertise in leadership and cultural dynamics comes from a broad range of experiences in the world of business and athletics, spanning over 25 years. He has held numerous executive positions in companies ranging from entrepreneurial start-up to public entity, while also serving as an assistant college basketball coach for over a decade.
Following the successful launch of the Need to LEAD program, a systematic approach to shaping team culture, Todd wrote LEAD…for God’s Sake, A parable for finding the heart of leadership. As the popularity of the book grew, stories of its powerful impact surfaced in such noted publications as ESPN Magazine, Yahoo Sports, ESPN.com and Forbes.com. Testimonies from high profile coaches, business leaders, and educators from around the country continued to stream in, affording Todd the opportunity to work directly with some of the most successful leaders, teams and organizations in America.
Today, when Todd isn’t coaching his own children, he travels throughout the country speaking, teaching, and coaching on the topics of leadership, purpose and cultural dynamics. He lives in Indiana with his wife Traci and their three children; Kaden, Kira, and their newest arrival from Haiti, Wadson.
In today’s episode, we discuss:
Amy Morin is the author of “13 Things Mentally Strong People Don’t Do” and “13 Things Mentally Strong Parents Don’t Do.” Her TEDx talk, “The Secret of Becoming Mentally Strong”, is one of the top 30 TEDx talks of all time with more than 6 million views.
As a psychotherapist turned author, Amy’s mission is to make the world a stronger place. Her education and expertise as a psychotherapist, combined with her personal experiences overcoming tragedy, give her a unique perspective on mental strength. In 2013, Amy introduced the world to the concept of mental strength when her article, 13 Things Mentally Strong People Don’t Do, became an anthem read by more than 50 million people. Her list was reprinted on websites like Forbes, Business Insider, Psychology Today, and Success Magazine. Her international best-selling book, also titled 13 Things Mentally Strong People Don’t Do, is being translated into 29 languages.
She lectures across the globe to provide trainings, workshops, and keynote speeches that teach people how to build their mental muscle. Students from 42 countries access her online mental strength course. Amy is a contributor to Forbes, Inc., and Psychology Today. Her articles on mental strength reach 2 million readers every month. Amy’s advice has been featured by media outlets such as Fast Company, Oprah.com, Fox News, CNN, Today, CNBC, and The Washington Post. She also appears in seven episodes of RedBull’s TV show, Visions of Greatness.
In today’s episode, we discuss:
Darrin Gray serves as President and CEO of The Lions Lead. Darrin has more than 25 years of executive leadership experience in communications, media, branding, sports philanthropy and non-profit sectors and has managed annual budgets as large as $40,000,000. Based upon his work with All Pro Dad, the national non-profit founded by Tony Dungy, Darrin is recognized as a thought leader and speaker on the topics of family, fatherhood, mentoring and leadership. Darrin co-authored The Jersey Effect, Beyond the World Championship, and supports his community by serving on non-profit boards and as the President of the Center for Serving Leadership at the Sagamore Institute, an action-oriented think tank. Darrin has a unique window into the National Football League by virtue of his day-to-day involvement with All Pro Dad, Family First’s national fatherhood program cofounded by Tony Dungy and Clyde Christensen. Darrin interacts with NFL athletes, coaches, and alumni that serve as spokesmen for All Pro Dad, and he has conducted programming with over half of the NFL franchises. He develops innovative partnership strategies to reach families via special events, broadcast, and new media with the assistance of media partners and corporate sponsors. He conceptualized The Jersey Effect years ago when he wondered what motivated some athletes like Tony Dungy to use their professional platform in sports, their jersey, to make a positive impact both on and off the field. A few years later he invited NFL punter Hunter Smith, while he was still playing in the NFL, to coauthor the book and to help him explore the many ways that sports shape culture, with the help of his world champion teammates and coaches.
In today’s episode, we discuss:
“I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character” (Martin Luther King, Jr.)
It has often been said that sports build character. Sports allow people to learn many lessons. The games themselves, though, don’t necessarily build character. Instead, they reveal character. Just like a test that you might take in school doesn’t build your knowledge base, but it reveals what you already know. The homework that you’ve done or not done is revealed when you take a test. In the same way, what you’ve done in practice and your workouts is revealed during the games. Your habits can make or break you.
Aaron Walker is a successful businessman and life coach. He has inspired many through his leadership, mentorship, and consistent pursuit of excellence. He enjoys helping others and believes experience is a great teacher. Aaron started his first business at 18 and sold it to a Fortune 500 company just nine short years later. Aaron has started, bought, and sold eight successful companies over the past 37 years. Having a strong desire for personal development has kept Aaron in a weekly mastermind group for more than a decade with Dave Ramsey, Dan Miller, Ken Abraham and many other notable Nashville people. Aaron has enjoyed a 36-year marriage with his beautiful wife Robin. Today, Aaron spends the majority of his time helping men grow in success and significance as the President and Founder of VIEW FROM THE TOP, a premier life and business coaching resource. Aaron’s new book is entitled “View From The Top: Living a Life of Significance” and in it, he shares insights from the lessons he has learned along the way to help others find hope and inspiration. Aaron’s interview on John Lee Dumas’ Entrepreneur on Fire is in the Top-10 most popular EOF episodes! He is one of only 20 guests who were invited back for a second appearance.
In today’s episode, we discuss:
The world is always changing. We are always learning more and more. Technology is ever-changing. Athletes are getting bigger, faster, stronger. John Maxwell says that change is inevitable but growth is optional.
My wife and I have lived in 8 places during our marriage. We have seen different cultures, perspectives and belief systems. Ironically, we have found that one thing has remained the same through the years…the world is in a constant state of change.
Your ability to adapt to situations can lead to a higher level of success. As a coach, I was faced with hundreds of decisions each game. Some of them I was prepared for but many of them I was not. I had to be ready to change course if need be. That is life.
Tony Gaskins Jr. is a motivational speaker, author, and life coach who has appeared on the Oprah Winfrey show. Tony built his brand from scratch to where he now has more than 1 million followers on social media. At 22, he became an author. At 23, he became a husband and father. At 25, he started his first company, Soul Writers LLC. At 25, he also got himself on globally televised shows to tell a portion of his story. Tony decided to turn his pain into purpose and live a life of service. Raised in the church and being the son of a pastor, there was something about service that stuck with Tony.
Tony made his fair share of mistakes like most young men from areas like where he grew up. Many of his childhood friends are serving life sentences in prison. Although Tony was introduced to the street life between the ages of 18–23, he finally found his way. At 23, he allowed love to change his life. His wife was unwilling to be with a man who wouldn’t live up to his full potential. That tough love pushed Tony to be more and to do more.
By combining all of his passions Tony became an author, life coach, and speaker. In 2015 Tony began working with an NBA team as the team life coach. Tony also became the life coach for several college teams. His message comes from his mess. He believes that we all are coaches because we’ve all learned lessons that can help someone else. Operating in his gifts also took him around the world as a highly sought- after speaker. Tony has spoken in two other continents and over 10 different countries and counting. Tony was able to accomplish these feats by the tender age of 31.
He doesn’t believe in boxes. “Don’t put me in a box until I’m going in the ground,” he says. He covers a wide range of topics in the areas of life, love, and business. He’s written several books on those subjects with his latest work being The Dream Chaser published by Wiley and available everywhere books are sold.
In today’s episode, we discuss:
Jeff Brown is the host of the highly-acclaimed “Read to Lead” podcast. Before beginning Read to Lead, he spent 26-years in radio. Jeff even co-hosted an award-winning and nationally syndicated morning show from 2002 to 2008.
The Read to Lead Podcast began in 2013. Since then I’ve been fortunate to interview a number of New York Times bestselling authors including John Maxwell, Seth Godin, Dan Miller, Daniel Pink, Simon Sinek, Chris Brogan (not once but twice), Gary Vaynerchuk and Liz Wiseman among others.
The Read to Lead Podcast has been a top #10 Business and top #3 Career podcast in iTunes, is an iTunes Essentials podcast (Book Lovers), and has twice been nominated Best Business Podcast. Read to Lead has been featured in Entrepreneur, Inc., SethGodin.com, ChrisBrogan.com, Goins Writer, Social Media Explorer, Nashville Business Journal, the Tennessean, and more.
Jeff also helps mentor and teach people how to host their own shows. Since January 2014, Jeff has leveraged his radio background to coach numerous podcasters, helping dozens create, launch, grow and monetize their shows. People like Brendan Hufford, Liz Covart, Harry Duran, Darrell Darnell, Ben Castleberry and Nicole Welch have all been clients. He has even had the opportunity to consult with the US government and several multi-million dollar companies the last few years.
In today’s episode, we discuss: