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#438: Coach George Raveling on This Unique Moment in Time, How to Practice Self-Leadership, Navigating Difficult Conversations, and Much More

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Jun 8, 2020

Guest

Coach George Raveling

Coach George Raveling, a monumental figure in basketball and civil rights, shares profound insights on resilience and self-leadership. He opens with a heartfelt prayer for healing in light of social turmoil, emphasizing the need for compassion. Raveling reflects on navigating race and personal safety, urging deeper empathy in difficult conversations. He also explores the challenges of modern parenting, highlighting the sacrifices made by parents. Ultimately, he inspires listeners to take individual actions towards positive change.

01:18:11

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ADVICE

Stop Strategy

Raveling emphasizes the importance of having a "stop strategy" for police encounters as a Black person.
This involves actions like turning off the engine, placing hands on the wheel, and being overly polite.

question_answer

ANECDOTE

Black Collectibles

George Raveling collects historical Black memorabilia, including derogatory items like racist postcards.
He views these items as reminders of the past struggles and the ongoing journey towards equality.

insights

INSIGHT

Honest Conversations

Raveling distinguishes between conversations and debates, emphasizing the importance of honest, truth-seeking dialogue.
He highlights the need for self-reflection and listening to learn, especially during times of conflict.

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A Prayer for Healing and Unity Amidst Social Change

05:43 • 2min

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Navigating Personal Safety and Racial Dynamics

07:19 • 24min

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Mastering Self-Leadership

31:11 • 10min

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Igniting Personal Growth through Self-Leadership

41:02 • 32min

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Parenting in Modern Times

01:12:38 • 6min

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The Power of Positive Change and Staying Connected

In *Tell Me Who You Are*, Winona Guo and Priya Vulchi share over 150 stories from Americans across all 50 states, highlighting the impact of race, culture, and intersectionality on personal lives. The book offers a nuanced exploration of American identity and encourages deeper conversations about race and identity.

Servant leadership

Robert K. Greenleaf

Robert Greenleaf's "Servant Leadership" introduces a leadership philosophy that prioritizes serving others over self-interest. The book emphasizes empathy, listening, and building community as essential leadership qualities. Greenleaf argues that true leaders are those who empower and uplift others, fostering growth and collaboration. The concept of servant leadership has had a significant impact on various fields, promoting ethical and people-centered approaches to leadership. The book's enduring relevance lies in its emphasis on human connection and the importance of serving a greater purpose.

What They Don't Teach You at Harvard Business School

Notes From A Street-Smart Executive

Mark H. McCormack

This book highlights the human aspects of running a business, focusing on personal relationships and self-discipline as key factors for success. It emphasizes that understanding people and their motivations is more crucial than just analyzing data. McCormack shares insights from his experiences in building IMG into a global sports management powerhouse.

Uncle Tom's cabin

Harriet Beecher Stowe

Published in 1852, 'Uncle Tom’s Cabin' is a seminal work by Harriet Beecher Stowe that depicts the harsh realities of slavery in the United States. The novel follows the story of Uncle Tom, a dignified and religious enslaved man, and Eliza, a fugitive slave, among other characters. It highlights the cruelty and injustices of the slave system and the emotional toll on enslaved individuals and their families. The book was a massive success, selling over 300,000 copies in its first year and becoming the second-best-selling book of the 19th century after the Bible. It played a significant role in fueling the abolitionist cause and is credited with influencing public opinion on slavery.

The true believer

Thoughts on the Nature of Mass Movements

Eric Hoffer

Published in 1951, 'The True Believer' is a landmark work in social psychology that provides a visionary and provocative look into the mind of the fanatic and the dynamics of mass movements. Hoffer argues that ideologies are interchangeable for true believers, who are driven by personal frustrations and a desire for certainty and belonging. The book is highly relevant today, offering insights into political fanaticism, the rise of mass movements, and the dangers of unthinking adherence to any cause. It has been praised for its concise and insightful analysis, making it a significant contribution to social thought.

“My hope is that we will be who we say we are. All of us.” — Coach George Raveling

Coach George Raveling (@GeorgeRaveling) is an 82-year-old living legend and Nike’s former Director of International Basketball. Coach Raveling was the first African-American head basketball coach in the PAC-8 (now PAC-12). On August 28, 1963, at age 26, while volunteering as security at the March on Washington, Raveling would humbly become the guardian of what we have come to know as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech.

Coach Raveling has held head coaching positions at Washington State, the University of Iowa, and USC. Following a prolific basketball coaching career, he joined Nike at the request of Phil Knight, where he played an integral role in signing a reluctant Michael Jordan. He’s also been inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame.

Coach George Raveling made his first appearance on the podcast in 2018, and for me, it was one of the most impactful interviews I’ve done, and I came out of it walking on air.

We covered a lot of ground in that first interview, including how Coach Raveling came to own the original copy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech, how his practice team ended up beating the 1984 US Olympic Dream Team in basketball, how he helped convince Michael Jordan to sign with Nike, and much more. I strongly urge you to listen to that conversation about Coach’s life, philosophies, and lessons learned.

I invited George back on the podcast to hear his thoughts on everything that is happening right now. These are difficult and uncertain times for millions of people, and my heart goes out to each and every person navigating the depths of sadness, anger, and fear.

As you’ll hear in today’s episode, Coach Raveling has great hope. He’s seen many changes in his lifetime, and we can all strive to be the positive change agents that he implores us to be.

Please enjoy this timely—and timeless—conversation with Coach George Raveling.

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