Jamy Bechler

Providing Insights on Leadership and Success. Coach Bechler is a John Maxwell Leadership Team Member.

Southwest Airlines Puts Employees First

All of us have jobs that we have to wake up for each day.  Do you like this job?  Is it a good place to work with a fun environment?  For one company, a CHAMPIONSHIP CULTURE has been built upon doing things a little different than the norm.

 
Most of us have flown before and have had the unfortunate experience of shutting off our portable electronic devices and listen to an unhappy flight attendance go over passenger information for the millionth time.  But, if you’ve ever flown on a Southwest flight, you may have had a slightly different encounter with a – dare I say – happy employee . . .

Episode 078: One Percent Better with Joe Ferraro

If you want to be better and choose success then today’s guest is your guy. Joe Ferraro is the host of the One Percent Better podcast. He has interviewed such high-level thought leaders as Seth Godin, Phil Jones, Chris Voss, and Daniel Pink. He is also a motivational speaker and co-host of the KWB Radio show with Kevin Wilson. Joe is was a NCAA baseball coach and player, who now coaches baseball at Bronxville HS in New York. 

In today’s episode, we discuss:

  • Coaches who say “I don’t discuss playing time with parents”
  • How he inspires kids on the ball fields and in the classroom
  • What leadership and life lessons he has learned through hosting his own podcast

[Read more…]

Matter of Perspective

“At Harvard they labeled me a jock.  In the NFL they considered me intellectual.” 
(Pat McInally, former NFL player)

 

A story is told of a husband and wife sitting at a table at the husband’s high school reunion.  He keeps staring at a drunken lady swigging her drink as she sat alone at a nearby table.

The wife asked, “Do you know her?”
 
“Yes,” the husband signed, “She’s my old girlfriend.  I understand that she took to drinking right after we split up all those years ago, and I hear she hasn’t stopped since.”
 
“I can’t believe it!” the wife said. “Who would think a person could go on celebrating that long?”

Perspective.  We all see things differently.  Even husbands and wives.  Come to think of it . . . especially husbands and wives! 

Anyways, moving on . . .

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Episode 077: Hall of Fame Softball Coach Sue Enquist

Sue Enquist is UCLA Softball’s first All-American, National Champion, and Hall of Famer. In 2006, Enquist concluded her storied 27-year career as head coach of the UCLA Bruins with a 887-175-1 (.835) record, making her the winningest softball coach among all active coaches. She is the only person in NCAA Softball history to win a championship as a head coach and a player. During her career, Enquist produced 65 All-Americans and 15 Olympians. She has been inducted into six Hall of Fames including UCLA, Women’s Sport Foundation, USA Softball Hall of Fame, and National Fastpitch Coaches Association. Enquist is also the recipient of multiple National Coach of the Year and Pac-10 Coach of the Year honors. She grew up in San Clemente, California, and is a former professional surfer. Today she lives in San Clemente, California, where she surfs daily and enjoys spending time with her family.

In today’s episode, we discuss:

  • How she was able to be so successful as a coach
  • What she would do differently if she was still coaching today
  • Her friendship with legendary basketball coach John Wooden

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7 Tips for Applying for Your Next Job

I have been involved with numerous job searches, both as a candidate and while serving on committees.  Whether you are looking for a part-time job, a job in your current industry or thinking about changing careers, you have to figure out a way to differentiate yourself.  Nearly every job that is available will be a difficult up-hill battle to secure.  The odds are sometimes stacked against you because there is so much competition, but there are some things that you can do to help you increase your odds slightly and give you a better chance. Obviously, not all bosses, hiring committees or jobs are alike, but there are some general rules that applicants should follow if they want to give themselves a fighting chance to get an interview.

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Episode 076: College Recruiting Expert Dan Tudor

Dan Tudor is the President and Founder of Tudor Collegiate Strategies. It is the nation’s foremost consulting service for college athletic departments and coaches when it comes to recruiting. Dan is a regular speaker at conferences around the country providing winning strategies to help coaches understand today’s recruiting. He also hosts the “College Recruiting Weekly” podcast, as well as the top recruiting conference in the nation (National Collegiate Recruiting Conference).

In today’s episode, we discuss:

  • How recruiting has changed through the years
  • What parents of recruits should know
  • What coaches should know about today’s high school students

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Simple Yet Profound Career Advice for Anyone

“How do I get a good job one day?” 

“What do I need to do now to start preparing for the ‘real world’?”

“The sports industry is so competitive, what advice would you give?”

“What should I major in if I want to work in sports?”

These are just a few questions that are regularly asked by students or people trying to get into the sports industry.  Harvey Mackay wrote a book entitled “Dig Your Well Before You Are Thirsty”.  It was primarily a networking book but it also brought up a number of good points in regards to getting a job, getting a better a job and getting ahead in your job.

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Episode 075: Show Hope’s Emily Chapman Richards

Emily Chapman Richards is the vice president of Show Hope, an organization whose mission is to care for orphans and reduce barriers to adoption. Show Hope was founded by Emily’s parents Steven Curtis and Mary Beth Chapman. If those names sound familiar, it is because her mother is a New York Times Best-Selling author and her father is a 5-time Grammy Award Winning recording artist. 

Born and raised in Franklin, TN, Emily has enjoyed watching Show Hope grow from a dream in her parents’ heart to an organization that has helped thousands of children come to know the love of a family.  Emily met her husband, Tanner, on a blind date at a local Starbucks. Married in 2008, Tanner and Emily are the proud parents to three beautiful ladies—Eiley, Della, and Verity.  

After earning her BA in International Studies and Religion from Baylor University (‘07), Emily continued her education while living abroad, graduating from Queen’s University Belfast (‘12) with a Masters of Theology. Emily enjoys traveling and talking theology over a cup of coffee.  She is a visionary and a dreamer, and has long remained a passionate advocate for adoption and orphan care efforts. 

In today’s episode, we discuss:

  • Growing up as the daughter of a Grammy-Award winning artist
  • Persuading her parents to adopt a child
  • The origins and mission of Show Hope
  • The fun story of how her parents met
  • Dealing with tragedy

[Read more…]

Upcoming Free Leadership Workshop

Podcast host, author, and motivational speaker, Jamy Bechler will be conducting a Free Leadership Workshop that will provide practical tips, strategies, and insights to help you maximize your leadership abilities and your team’s success. This live, online workshop will last around 30 minutes and there will be a time for Q&A at the end of the workshop. Though all leaders are welcome to register for the workshop, it is geared toward athletics. Visit www.FreeLeadershipWorkshop.com to see the date and time for this upcoming workshop. 

Episode 074: JJ Birden, Former NFL Wide Receiver

JJ Birden played 9 years in the NFL as a Wide Receiver after a stand out career as a star track athlete at the University of Oregon, which is known as “Tracktown, USA”.  A 5’10”, 157-pound wide receiver, JJ was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the 1988 NFL Draft and played nine seasons (Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys, Kansas City Chiefs, and Atlanta Falcons). To play nine years in a profession where the average players career last an average of 3.2 years is something special. Two of those nine years was with Hall of Fame Quarterback Joe Montana. He certainly was not the biggest, strongest, or fastest guy on the field, but he knew how to seize his once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and maximize his success through dedication and hard work.

He is now a motivational speaker and representative for the health and nutrition company Isagenix. He is an engaging communicator and a leading expert at helping individuals seize their opportunities in life. In his presentations, JJ shares lessons from his experience as a small man in a big man’s game. JJ’s time in the NFL helped shape the message that he now delivers to audiences around the world. After seeing the successes and failures of others at the highest level, he developed a set of principles that others could follow to achieve greatness, no matter how they defined it or what they’re pursuing.

JJ has also written a book entitled, “When Opportunity Knocks: 8 Surefire Ways to Take Advantage.” He and his wife Raina have 8 kids, including 5 that are adopted.

In today’s episode, we discuss:

  • Catching footballs from Joe Montana
  • Playing 9 years in the NFL
  • Adopting 5 children
  • Staying positive in any situation
  • Whether this world-class sprinter ever got caught from behind

[Read more…]

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