Jamy Bechler

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

Brother’s Keeper

“Two are better than one because they have a good return for their work. If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10)
Click here to listen to the 2-minute version of this article on the “Success is a Choice” podcast network.

Basketball was everything to me. It was my favorite sport. When I was in 7th grade, I was riding the bus home after school. My brother, who was three years younger than me was acting up quite a bit on the bus that particular day.

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9 Barriers Coaches Face When Communicating

Communication is perhaps the most important skill you can possess. It can make or break your relationships, friendships, and partnerships — and it’s the difference between your team reaching their potential or not.

Billionaire businessman Richard Branson says “Communication is a skill that you can learn. It’s like riding a bicycle or typing. If you’re willing to work at it, you can rapidly improve the quality of every part of your life.”

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Getting Athletes to Buy Into Backup Roles

    There are no small parts — only small actors!

    This phrase has been uttered countless times when it comes to acting, but it also applies beautifully to your team. You could easily say there are no small roles, only small athletes.

    A car is made up of many parts, from the chassis to the motor to the tires to the lug nuts. Even though some may appear more important than others, each component of a car plays a vital part to its’ operation. An expensive luxury car doesn’t get very far if the $5 spark plug isn’t working properly. 

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    9 Things to Avoid as a New Coach

    It’s very exciting to join a new program and start fresh.

    Whether we’re a young coach or a wily veteran, head coach or assistant, there are still some important things to remember as we begin this new job.

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    Honoring Fallen Teammates

    “Did you ever know that you’re my hero and everything I’d like to be? I can fly higher than an eagle for you are the wind beneath my wings.” (Bette Midler, Wind Beneath My Wings)

    Click here to listen to the 2-minute audio version of this story

    Dustin Hale was only a year older than me, but I thought the sophomore basketball player was a pretty cool guy. We didn’t really hang out away from the basketball court, but he meant a lot to me.​

    That summer he passed away as the result of a freakish accident.

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    Labor Day

    “Whatever you are; be a good one.” (Abraham Lincoln)

    For many of us in the United States, Labor Day is the unofficial end of the summer and is filled with cookouts, pool parties, and college football.

    Click here to listen to the 1-minute version of this article.

    But Labor Day began as a way to recognize our nation’s workers and their accomplishments.

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    Roger Penske and My Dad

    As a youngster, my dad would serve as a firefighter for the races run at Michigan International Speedway.

    Please click here to listen to the 2-minute audio version of this email.

    M.I.S. was less than 10 miles from my house. My brother and I plus one lucky friend would look forward to the four or five races each summer we’d attend.

    This was before the era of luxury boxes and suites, so we’d sit behind pit row with the racer and pit crew families. I got to meet a lot of cool people and collect my share of autographs.

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    Choose to be better

    “You either get bitter or you get better. It’s that simple. You either take what has been dealt to you and allow it to make you a better person, or you allow it to tear you down. The choice does not belong to fate, it belongs to you.” (Josh Shipp)

    🔊 Click here to listen to a 2-minute audio version of this story.

    At 27 years of age, I was the youngest women’s basketball head coach at the NCAA level. Four years later, I was allowed to take my talents elsewhere.

    I got resigned.

    How kind of them to let me voluntarily resign.

    No matter how you spin it, I was fired.

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    Utilizing Committees On Your Team

    There’s no doubt that you want a stronger culture and a successful program. This is oftentimes accomplished when you have athletes that are good leaders. This might manifest itself in the form of strong team captains, upperclassmen, or an overall atmosphere of all players taking responsibility for the team’s leadership.

    However, whether the leadership on your team is currently where you want it to be or not, you can do something to make it even better.

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    11 Off-Season Team Building Ideas

    There’s more to a good team than just talent, strategy, and philosophy. The best teams have a high level of trust, respect, and a sense of purpose. This doesn’t happen by accident. Building a strong and healthy team is intentional.

    There’s an old adage that says, “One day the winter will come calling and it will ask what you did all summer long.” You reap what you sow, and this is no different for your athletes, your team, or even yourself. The off season is a great time to prepare for the upcoming season. It’s a great time to build strong habits.

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