Face-to-Face with John Wooden

Book signings should be about much more than self-promotion. They should be about relationships. Never was I more convinced of this when I found myself face-to-face with a basketball legend that not only signed my copy of his book, but also took a moment to connect with me as a real person instead of just a fan.

Years ago I had the pleasure of meeting retired basketball coach and Hall of Famer, John Wooden at the end of a leadership conference that I attended in Georgia. Wooden was signing copies of his book, Coach Wooden One-On-One and taking time to greet each conference attendee that had chosen to brave the long line in order to meet him. He, along with several other individuals, had spoken at the conference and shared his views on leadership. Unlike the other speakers however, his emphasis was on service-leadership, which focuses more on making an impact by doing God's work and serving others rather than simply being in charge.

If you don't know much about John Wooden's legacy, he has been dubbed the "winningest-ever college coach" in basketball history (NNDB.Com). He is perhaps best known for leading the UCLA men's basketball team to 10 national NCAA championships between 1964 and 1975. A man of principle, he was about much more than just winning during his successful coaching career. He is also known for taking a bold stand against racial discrimination in the realm of intercollegiate basketball.

Prior to coaching at UCLA, Wooden was basketball coach at Indiana State University in Terre Haute, Indiana. He had a love for all of his players and saw their value, regardless of color. So much so that he refused an invitation by the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics back in the late 1940's, to attend their national tournament after his team had won the conference title.

According to NNDB.Com, "Coach Wooden personally rejected the invitation, because African-American players were not permitted to compete. 'Clarence Walker was on my team,' Wooden remembers, 'and, well, he wasn't one of the ones that got to play very much. But they wouldn't let him come, so I wouldn't go to the tournament'." As a result of Wooden's actions, Clarence Walker made history as the "first African-American to ever play in any post-season intercollegiate basketball tournament." (Wikipedia).

With such an impressive and dignified history, John Wooden was a man whose book I just had to have. However, as I stood in line to meet him, I wondered if he would do as other famous individuals I had met over the years had done - quickly scribble an illegible mark in my book without ever caring who I was.

Instead, Wooden looked at me, pen in hand, and smiled. For a moment, this simple yet unexpected gesture caught me by surprise. But his smile was so contagious that I couldn't help but to smile back.

"Keep smiling," Wooden said to me as he looked into my eyes. "Never stop smiling."

That was the extent of our communication (the cat had stolen my tongue and hid it from me that day), but it was an epiphanic moment for me nonetheless. Perhaps it was the fact that we are both October babies, or our Christian values that made me understand the depth of Wooden's advice, but I have carried his words in my heart ever since. Even when I'm feeling down, I rarely pass on an opportunity to smile and brighten someone else's day. In the process, I always feel better. Wooden, who will turn 98 this year, made a lasting impact on me and it is one that I will always cherish.

Since my brief encounter with Wooden, I have not had many pleasurable or memorable experiences at book or autograph signings. In fact, I rarely attend them at all these days. Oftentimes, these events are a very impersonal way of promoting one's work. Not every book author or celebrity is willing and able to maintain a genuine interest in human connection amid the long lines, time constraints and draining tours.

I write this of course from the perspective of a reader, not a book author. I do not have a published book, even though I do understand the rigor of self-promotion. However, I also maintain that the best way to truly promote your work is to connect with people in a positive and meaningful way. Even if you only have a few seconds to interact with each person, there is a window of opportunity to make an impact. John Wooden did that for me, and I will always remember him fondly because of it.

Sources:

The Notable Names Database (NNB.Com)

Wikipedia. The Free Encyclopedia.