Jamy Bechler

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

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. 

    [Read more…]

    Getting the Most Out of Your Coaching Mentors

    The leadership expert and author John C. Maxwell says, “We all need someone to help us in our pursuit of intentional growth and the right mentor helps you take massive leaps forward.”

    Even coaches need coaches. Maxwell talks about “intentional growth”. This is when you make the conscious decision to make yourself better.

    One of the best ways to do this is with a mentor.

    [Read more…]

    College of Saint Mary Partners with Bechler Leadership for Basketball Search

    The College of Saint Mary athletic director Robbie Shay has announced they are partnering with Bechler Leadership in its’ search for a new women’s basketball coach.

    “We believe there’s a lot of potential here,” said Shay. “With our revamped scholarships, first-class facilities, and beautiful location we wanted to maximize the opportunities available to us to get the right coach in place. Bechler Leadership has had great results filling positions at other schools and we’re excited to work with their team.”

    [Read more…]

    5 Ways to Create More Trust Within Your Coaching Staff

    A strong culture requires trust and chemistry among all the team members. As coaches, we usually think of this in terms of our athletes. We look at team-building as something they do, as opposed to something we do.

    If you’re trying to maximize the potential of your athletes, the coaching staff must be a cohesive unit that’s on the same page. You can’t expect our athletes to trust one another, communicate effectively with one another, or support one another if you’re not doing that as well.

    [Read more…]

    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.

    [Read more…]

    4 Ways to Change How Your Athletes Serve Each Other

    Great teams have great teammates. No disagreements there, but it isn’t easy to find great teammates. Not everybody that makes your team will come in as a great teammate — and that is where your presence and team culture kicks in.

    The clearest signal that you have an athlete that is a great teammate is their desire to serve others. When athletes have the mindset of serving other team members, the entire program benefits. Legendary basketball coach John Wooden put it well when he said, “It’s amazing what you can achieve when you don’t care who gets the credit.”

    Serving others is at the very core of sports — and it’s paramount to your team’s success.

    [Read more…]

    6 Things Coaches Do On High Performance Teams

    As a coach, you’re constantly trying to lead your team as far as you can each season. This is true regardless of your resources or talent.

    However, some coaches are blessed to be a part of programs that have high-performing individuals. High-performing teams usually have individuals that are more talented than most, but as coach, your role is to get the most out of them.

    [Read more…]

    Hall of Fame Reliability

    “The greatest ability is your dependability.” (Bobby Jones)

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

    You’ve no doubt heard of NFL players like Barry Sanders and Tom Brady. They are all-time greats.

    But have you heard of Joe Thomas? He is also an all-time great. In 2023, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

    In football, the guys who score touchdowns are recognized and rewarded. However, it’s important to remember the guys who make those touchdowns possible. Those big guys up front in the trenches protecting the quarterback and creating holes for the running backs are vital to the success of a team.

    Joe Thomas was one of those guys.

    [Read more…]

    2003 British Open Champion Ben Curtis

    Ben Curtis won the 2003 Open Championship at Royal St. George’s as a rookie in only his 16th start on the PGA Tour. He became the first golfer in 90 years to win a major championship in his first try. He would go on to win a total of four PGA events. Curtis also was the runnerup at the 2012 PLAYERS Championship and a member of the 2008 Ryder Cup Championship Team. Prior to his professional career, he was formerly the world’s number one ranked amateur after winning three Ohio Amateur titles, earning NCAA All-American honors three times at Kent State University, and reaching the semifinals of the 1999 of the prestigious U.S. Amateur at Pebble Beach. He retired from professional golf in 2017.  He now leads the Ben Curtis Golf Academy, as well as the Ben Curtis Family Foundation which seeks to alleviate childhood hunger in Northeast Ohio.

    In today’s episode, we discuss:
    • Winning The Open Championship as a rookie
    • Getting married and playing a PGA event on the same day
    • The mental approach to golf
    • Starting a foundation to help alleviate child hunger
    • … and so much more!!!

    [Read more…]

    Sign Up For Leadership Insights

    Join Thousands Of Others Who Follow Jamy On These Platforms: