Volker Jaeckel's Linkedin Analytics

I arrived in America just a couple of months prior to 9/11. 37 years old, thick accent, barely spoke any English. People constantly asked, “What did you say?” It stung. So I studied every day - CourtTV, my favorite then "Judge Judy." Rewinding, rewatching, and dissecting every word. Slowly, I found my voice, helping me to recall my school English from twenty years prior. It was tedious but worth it. What else could I have done without a work permit, then, while waiting for the Green Card to arrive in the mail? Message: Keep pushing when the odds are stacked against you. Video here.

Q: How can you spot a weak leader? A: By how many people fake a smile in meetings. Some of those leaders need even a daily standing ovation just to get out of bed. And I know that you know the type I am speaking of. They collect “yes-men” like trophies, reward fake agreement, and call it a “culture of collaboration.” Spoiler: it’s not collaboration. It’s suffocation, with a smile. Teams under these leaders turn into nodding machines. No one dares toss a new idea on the table. Real problems are swept under the rug faster than yesterday’s crumble of a stale donut. The result? Innovation dies. Creativity calls in sick. And your best talent? They’re already checking LinkedIn's job postings at lunch. Can we (for a moment) flip the script? Real leaders, those worth following, don’t want applause. They want honesty, even if it stings. They hire people who can argue the point, not just carry it. They build teams where challenge is the default setting. It’s how the best ideas survive and the worst ones get fixed - or simply get kicked to the curb. If your recruiting playbook says “culture fit,” but what you really mean is “please don’t make waves,”... ...congratulations, you’re hiring and assembling your own echo chamber. And if your performance reviews punish people for speaking up? You’re signing up for the glamour magazine called "Mediocrity." Growth doesn’t show up with a fluffy comfort blanket. It barges in, uninvited, with tough questions and bruised egos. But, then again, that’s the stuff that moves a team from being average to "Damn! Now that’s impressive."

I just love what I do. ❤️ Passion is the driver. #GoogleReviews #FocalPointCoaching #CoachVJ

When your heart ❤️ is in it... ...then there will be a great outcome! #GoogleReviews #FocalPointCoaching #CoachVJ #DISC

Don't let naysayers hold you back! Stay laser-focused on your goals and dreams. Here's what winners do: 1. Ignore negativity 2. Push through tough times 3. Believe in themselves 4. Stay positive 5. Take action despite fear 6. Surround themselves with a supportive network Plus, these essentials: A) Stay committed B) Embrace challenges C) Learn from failures D) Keep moving forward Your mindset is your superpower. Plant your seeds, nourish them, and watch them grow. Let's make it happen!

AI Isn't Your Replacement – It's Your Advantage Many people fear AI because they see it as a threat to future job security. Even the tech-savvy digital native is entering the job market now. But that mindset is what keeps them from using AI to get ahead. Take marketing, for example. The core principles haven’t changed: 1.Know your audience. 2. Build trust. 3.Deliver value. 4.Communicate clearly. What’s changed is how we do it. If you're just starting your education/career, focus less on resisting AI and more on learning to collaborate with it. Get better at prompt engineering! Sharpen your research and messaging. Explore open-source tools and AI influencers to understand how AI can streamline your workflows. Start small, automate tasks, and scale your impact. My message to those feeling uneasy about AI?
 AI is not replacing you. You’re still the one in charge. You’re the boss.

Prove Them Wrong! Do It! #HappyMonday #Motivation #FocalPointCoaching #CoachVJ

Real leadership isn’t about having all the answers, it’s about asking the right questions. In my latest interview, I shared why coachability is the true differentiator in today’s leaders. The best teams aren’t built by micromanagers, they’re built by leaders who develop thinkers, not just doers. When you foster curiosity and critical thinking, you unlock innovation, ownership, and real business performance. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/gH5V5DEK

Two years ago, I was working with a startup that was on the brink of collapse. It was a familiar story: great product, passionate team, but a communication breakdown that was causing missed deadlines and frustrated investors. The CEO, let's call her Emma, reached out to me in a state of desperation. She needed a breakthrough. I looked at her team and saw potential, not the chaos she described. The problem wasn't a lack of capability; it was a matter of communication. That's when I introduced them to the DISC Behavioral Assessment, which I have been using since the late 1990s. Here's why it became a game-changer for her team, and why it can be for yours too: SELFAWARENESS → DISC helps team members understand their own communication styles. ↳ Knowing if you're a 'D' (Dominant) or an 'S' (Steady) can transform how you approach others. UNDERSTANDING OTHERS → It's not just about you; it's about knowing how to interact with different styles. ↳ Emma's team learned that their 'I' (Influence) member needed to feel heard, while their 'C' (Conscientious) member needed details. CONFLICT RESOLUTION → Instead of clashing, the team learned to appreciate each other's strengths. ↳ They saw conflicts as opportunities to find solutions that played to their diverse skills. IMPROVED COMMUNICATION → With DISC, Emma's team started having conversations that mattered. ↳ Misunderstandings decreased because they spoke each other's language. ENHANCED COLLABORATION → When team members understand and respect differences, collaboration flourishes. ↳ Emma's team began working together like a well-oiled machine, not just completing tasks but innovating. BOOSTED MORALE → As misunderstandings faded, job satisfaction soared. ↳ Emma's team felt valued and understood, leading to a more committed and enthusiastic workforce. By implementing DISC, Emma not only saved her startup but also thrived. Her team transformed from a group of individuals into a cohesive unit. They met their targets, secured new funding, and, most importantly, they believed in each other. Today, Emma's startup is thriving, and her team is stronger than ever. DISC was the tool that turned their communication barrier into a bridge. If you're facing similar challenges, consider how understanding behavioral styles could benefit your organization. In my monthly workshop here in Temecula, I see and hear that this course and insights have positively changed lives and outcomes in organizations. In case you are still on the fence about "how," "if," and "why," let's discuss how DISC can help you unlock your team's potential. I'm here to help you find your breakthrough! Your team and your bottom line will thank you. Let's chat. #disc #temecula #murrieta #wildomar #businessowners #menifee

Coaching is not just about the business you want to improve. Coaching is about the behavior that will improve the business. #focalpointocoaching #behavioralassessment #DISC

I started over in America at 37, with a thick accent, school English from decades ago, and zero connections. Almost every day, I heard: “Can you repeat that?” “Sorry, what did you say?” It stings. A few months later, 9/11 hit. Everyone was shaken. I was stuck waiting for my Green Card. No job. No backup plan. But I had a dream that no logic could justify. It was bigger than paperwork, language, or starting from scratch. So I sat on a small couch, rewinding Judge Judy on CourtTV. Pausing. Replaying. Repeating her words. Learning the rhythm of American conversation, one “objection sustained” at a time. No shortcuts. No hacks. Just grit and repetition. People think resilience looks bold: Big speeches. Big risks. But sometimes, it’s about stubbornness and headphones. It’s doing what you can, where you are, even when everyone doubts you. It’s refusing to let your dream shrink down just because life gets harder. That’s how you turn a setback into a story worth telling. Dream bigger than your obstacles. Then do the quiet work that nobody sees.

Leaders fail at empathy. Your competitors don't. This competitive edge is costing you daily. In my latest article, Part 3, I reveal why "quick-fix empathy" kills your results and share the surprising truth about vulnerability as your hidden competitive advantage. See below: #AuthenticLeadership #EmpathyRevolution #FocalPointCoaching #VulnerableLeadership #BusinessTransformation #CoachVJ

Assumption is the Silent Killer of Growth. Period. Here’s How to Stop It! This morning, I led a dealership sales team through a powerful revelation: Assumption is one of the biggest roadblocks in new business generation. And it’s costing them potential deals like the one where a “lost lead” turned into a buying customer with over 290 digital touchpoints before making a purchase. The sales and BDC team's assumptions told them this lead was dead. Metrics told a different story. So, how can we fix it? 1. Understand the risk: When you assume, you overlook key details. You miss out on the factors that drive decisions, like the journey a customer goes through before buying. That’s how opportunities slip through the cracks. 2. Seek clarity, always: Don’t trust your gut alone. Dig for details. In my case, metrics revealed what assumptions had missed. 290 digital touchpoints! This level of transparency lets you see what’s really happening, not just what you think is happening. 3. Verify, don’t guess: Facts matter. The data will tell you what’s happening with your leads, your customers, and your marketing. Verify before acting. Assumptions make you act on incomplete information, which leads to missed sales. 4. Embrace feedback: A fresh perspective can flip your entire strategy. My marketing gives me insight into customer behavior, but it’s the feedback from the team and their insights that complete the picture. Don't dismiss the possibility that you're missing something. 5. Stay open-minded: Be ready to pivot. Data shifts. Insights evolve. A flexible mindset helps you stay ahead of the curve, like realizing that a “lost lead” is, in fact, a goldmine. 6. Learn from past mistakes: Look back at where assumptions led you wrong. My team labeled a sale a “bad lead,” but the buyer’s journey was in front of us the whole time. If we don’t review past mistakes, we repeat them. 7. Collaborate for better decisions: Working together brings out the best ideas. Different minds see things you might miss. This morning, collaboration between sales and marketing unearthed the hidden value in our leads. 8. Use data to lead the way: Make data your best friend. It cuts through assumptions and provides clarity. In my case, data proved the customer wasn’t lost. They were right there in front of us all along. 9. Practice patience: Rushed decisions? They lead to assumptions. Give yourself the time to think, check your facts, and make informed choices. Quick actions without verification only lead to regret. 10. Build a Culture of Questioning: Encourage curiosity. Ask why things are happening. A team that questions assumptions and seeks the truth thrives in any market. It’s where real growth comes from. The bottom line: Assumptions are shortcuts to failure. The solution is clarity, data, feedback, and flexibility. Get rid of assumptions; you unlock new opportunities and the potential to close more sales.

"I don't even have a college degree." The thought ambushed me as I stared at the offer letter. Six figures. National travel and speaking. Digital marketing spotlight. Writing about it. My dream role. The email arrived without warning. All because of an interview. Digital Dealer Magazine. Not just featured – cover story. Centerfold spread. Car dealerships across the nation read my words. Industry leaders knew my name. On paper: success. In my mind: impostor. No framed diploma on my wall. No prestigious alumni network. No academic credentials. "Just" obsessive work ethic. "Just" relentless results. "Just" genuine human connections. "Just" years of grinding when no one was watching. The things no university can teach. That offer letter? I signed it. Those presentations? I crushed them. That doubt? Still visits sometimes. But now I know better. Your "missing" credentials don't define you. Your journey does. Your impact does. Your passion does. What you already have might be exactly what the world needs. - - - Is your team fixated on what they lack rather than leveraging what they have? Book me for a session that will flip their perspective. One hour to unlock the hidden potential already within your organization. Message me now to schedule. Let's transform limitation into liberation.

You must have noticed it by now. There are two types of Leaders. One who knows it all (and firmly believes he/she does), and then you have the ones who are open to change, simply it hurts too much. Find out how simple it is sometimes to bring common sense back to #leadership. Read on and subscribe to my newsletter! 👇🏻

UPDATE: I actually connected over Memorial Day Weekend with Col. Justin "Astro" Elliot and mentioned how he inspired me to write my latest blog post: https://lnkd.in/g3nMABY4 He was so kind, visited my profile, read the post, sent me a private message, and even supplied me with an original shot of the closest ever Diamond Pass from 2023. I went ahead and exchanged the image, replacing it with the original one he gave me. You must see this documentary. This is Leadership Lesson's Pure Gold! #AirForce #Thunderbirds #Leadership #NORAD #motivation

Other people’s opinions matter. But maybe not in the way you think. At this stage in my career, I’ve caught myself wondering: How do others really perceive me when I present? I started coaching because I believe in helping others reach their potential. So, yes, how I communicate matters. What the person in front of me sees, hears, and, most importantly, feels matters. Do I come across like a "professor" a month out from retirement, already chasing that imaginary golden rainbow? Or do I still sound like someone who wants it, who’s driven, passionate, present? At my last talk at California State University, San Marcos campus, a few younger attendees came up afterward and said I still had fire. Good to know. Not time to stop just yet!

When was the last time a quick fix really solved your business problem? I specialize in situations where duct tape, band-aid, and hope won’t cut it. From Europe to the U.S., I’ve helped over 1,000 leaders navigate crises and come out stronger. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution for business emergencies. You need someone who’s been in the trenches and delivers every single time. If you’re facing a challenge that needs more than a Band-Aid, reach out. I’m here to be your first call, not your last resort. Complimentary Call 👉🏻 https://lnkd.in/gtU286Re

Nobody cares that you posted. No likes! No shares! No comments! Welcome to the reality of building a brand. Most people ghost themselves after two silent posts. But winners, the ones who actually make a dent, are the ones who show up when it feels pointless. Every founder has a day when their story falls flat. Every leader gets ignored before they’re respected. Every coach had to prove their value in an empty room. Consistency is how you earn trust. Resilience is how you build a reputation. If you only show up when the crowd is cheering, you’ll never lead. 1. So keep posting. 2. Keep teaching. 3. Keep delivering value no matter who’s watching. The world notices when you refuse to disappear.

TRUST isn’t a buzzword. It’s the Thunderbirds’ edge. Here’s what leaders can steal from their playbook. #Netflix #AirForce #Thunderbirds #Leadership