WELCOME — Thanks for dropping by!
This is our coffee shop. It’s a place where you and I can meet casually and connect over life issues – and invite others to join the discussion. You might have come here from reading one of my blog posts, or one of my books, or heard me speak or connected through the recommendation of a friend. However you came, I’m grateful. I don’t take it lightly that you’re here.
We’ll chat about different things from time to time. Our common ground centers around how to communicate in a way that builds strong, real relationships. But we’ll also talk about productivity, writing, or just observations about life. My goal is to sit with you and look at life through fresh lenses.
Most of that comes from my background. I was raised in Southern California and Phoenix and started writing in college. I took a journalism course from Professor Troup, and he said he’d give an “A” to anyone who got published during the semester. I think he was joking, but I took it as a personal challenge.
I found a writer’s conference hosted by a church curriculum publisher named Success With Youth. I attended and talked to the editor after the sessions. I explained the class challenge.
“How about if you give me a simple assignment. I’ll write it and turn it in. If you like it, you can pay me. If not, we’ll leave it at that.”
She said “yes.” I wrote the curriculum. She published it and gave me a check for $50.
And I got an “A” in the class.
From there, I wrote for that publisher and others for a few years. I ended up teaching at that same college, and eventually transitioned into corporate training. That’s where I spent the rest of my career, working for FranklinCovey to present seminars and speaking around my own books as well. Between Franklin Covey and other situations, I’ve passed the 3000 mark in speaking engagements over the years.
During that time, I kept writing. From curriculum, I transitioned to magazine articles and books.
- I’ve written 8 books since 2006 (working on #9 now).
- I spent 34 years as a senior consultant for FranklinCovey.
- I’ve written articles for publications like Writer’s Digest, Writer’s Market, Entrepreneur, Pastors.com, Focus on the Family and others.
- I was a professor at Biola University, which is where I received my Master’s degree a few year earlier. That was followed by a doctorate from Arizona State.
In my blog, you’ll read about my best friend (my wife Diane), my kids and my grandkids. And other people who have wandered into my life and made it rich and colorful. You’ll have a chance to share your story as well. I’m just the host, but we’ll meet here with new friends.
I’ll also include links over time to other resources – my favorite books, websites and people who are “doing it right.” I’ll add links to some of the media interviews I’ve done as well (such as Focus on the Family and New Life Live).
This website isn’t full of bells and whistles – just the things that are valuable for connecting. So keep visiting to see what’s new. In the meantime, sign up for my newsletter on the home page, which will include current ideas I’m thinking about, blog posts, responses to your questions and other interesting things. I’m aiming for a cadence of publishing once a week. That’s where we’ll meet for coffee and conversation.
Just know that you’re welcome here – and I’m grateful that we can hang out together.
I’m also available for speaking engagements. There will be a separate page with details soon – but for now, just shoot me a note at mike@mikebechtle.com and I’ll get back with you.
Thanks for showing up!
About Mike Bechtle
Mike Bechtle began his professional career in ministry: writing church curriculum for several different publishers, serving on the pastoral staff of several large churches and teaching at several Christian colleges and universities for 17 years.
In 1988, he became a corporate training consultant for FranklinCovey. Since that time he has taught over 3000 seminars in time and life management, communications and relationships to a majority of the Fortune 500 and Fortune 100 companies. Clients have included higher education institutions, service industries, fire departments, police agencies, medical/hospital, government, military, banking, technology, insurance, petroleum, etc. He has also worked successfully with many small businesses, providing training and coaching to leaders and their teams.
Mike has authored numerous magazine articles for publications such as Writer’s Digest, Entrepreneur, MSN.com, Focus on the Family, Eternity, Pastors.com, and is a frequent guest on radio/TV programs such as Focus on the Family and New Life Live. He is quoted often in publications like Writer’s Digest, Forbes, Reader’s Digest, USA Today, World Magazine, Ask Amy column, etc. A popular blogger and speaker, he is the author of nine books:
- The Introvert’s Guide to Success in the Workplace; Becoming Confident in a World of Extroverted Expectations (Revell October 2023)
- One-Minute Tips for Confident Communication (Revell 2022)
- It’s Better to Bite Your Tongue than to Eat Your Words: The “No-Regrets” Guide to Better Conversation (Revell 2022)
- The People Pleaser’s Guide to Loving Others without Losing Yourself (Revell, 2021)
- Dealing with the Elephant in the Room: Moving from Tough Conversations to Healthy Communication (Revell, 2017)
- I Wish He Had Come with Instructions: The Woman’s Guide to a Man’s Brain (Revell 2016)
- People Can’t Drive You Crazy If You Don’t Give Them the Keys (Revell, 2012)
- How to Communicate with Confidence (Spire, 2013)
- Evangelism for the Rest of Us: Sharing Christ within Your Personality Style (Baker, 2006)