Jamy Bechler

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

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Apr 03 2026

What REAL Leadership Looks Like

You’re a coach, which means you have a position of leadership. However, keep in mind that just because you have a business card, plaque on your office door, or embroidered shirts saying “coach” doesn’t mean you are a good leader. There are plenty of politicians, CEOs, administrators, and yes, even coaches that aren’t maximizing the leadership potential of their positions.

Your status as a coach provides you a tremendous opportunity and starting point to make a positive impact on people. Leadership isn’t about positions or status, but about influence. Anyone can be a leader because anyone can have influence. However, you have a head start because you have power, status, and authority. You have a built-in platform and opportunity to use your power for good … or for bad.

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Written by Jamy Bechler · Categorized: Leadership, Personal Growth, Teams & Organizations · Tagged: Bad Coaching, coaching mistakes, Communication, connect, Culture, dead right, Empower, Example, Lead by Example, Leadership, New Coach, New Job, Program Building, Relationships, Responsibility, standards, Team Rules, The Bus Trip, The Captain, The Leadership Playbook, Uncoachable

Dec 09 2023

Mr. Frank

The Dos Equis guy might be called “the most interesting man in the world” but to me, Frank Bechler held that title. 

Please click here to listen to the 5-minute audio version of this email.

This weekend is special for me.

December 10, 1943 was my dad’s birthday.

Even though he is no longer here physically, not a day goes by that I don’t think of him. His impact on me has been what you’d hope a dad’s impact would be. 

Many of you have read “The Bus Trip” or “The Captain”. Mr. Frank, the bus driver, is a recurring character who pops up periodically providing wisdom and a story at just the right time.

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Written by Jamy Bechler · Categorized: Leadership, Personal Growth · Tagged: Bechler Family, Beth Bechler, Bus Driver, Corey Bechler, Do something, Firefighter, Hillsdale College, Jamy Bechler, John Deere, Jonesville High School, Legacy, Make a difference, Mr. Frank, politics, The Bus Trip, The Captain

Nov 14 2022

Episode 155: TOPGUN with Andy “Grand” Mariner

Captain Andy “Grand” Mariner is the Deputy Commander of the historic Carrier Air Wing 11. Previously, he was the Commanding Officer at  TOPGUN. The United States Navy Strike Fighter Tactics Instructor program is the preeminent training school for naval aviators.

Click here for Captain Mariner’s complete bio.

In today’s episode, we discuss:
  • Leadership principles
  • Mentality of fighter pilots
  • A day in the life of a TOPGUN student and instructor
  • What the movie (Top Gun) got right or wrong
  • … and so much more!!!

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Written by Jamy Bechler · Categorized: Leadership, Podcast Episodes · Tagged: Aircraft Carrier, Andy Mariner, Approachable, Blue Angels, Credible, Fighter Jet, Flying, Humble, Humility, Leadership, Maverick, Naval Academy, Naval Aviation, Navy, Navy SEALs, Officers, Pilot, The Captain, Tom Cruise, Top Gun, TOPGUN, Training, Vietnam War

Dec 14 2021

Leading without a Title

The great baseball player Jackie Robinson once said that “A life isn’t significant except for its impact on other lives.”

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

Leadership ISN’T about titles, position, authority, or status. Leadership is about influence. It’s about one person influencing another. You don’t need a title to be a leader. You don’t need a title to be a person of influence.

Anyone can lead regardless of their role because everyone has the ability to influence. If people respect you and believe in you, then your opportunities to influence increase exponentially.

Consider the case of Harriet Tubman.

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Written by Jamy Bechler · Categorized: Leadership, Personal Growth · Tagged: Do something, Harriet Tubman, Legacy, Make a difference, Mr. Frank, politics, Slavery, The Bus Trip, The Captain

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