It's Not Who You Know, It's Who You Are

Life Lessons from Winners

by: Pat Williams, Jim Denney

• Format

  E-Book

  ISBN

  9781441221216

  Pub. Date

  Jan 2015

  SRP

  $16.99

  Buy

About

We live in a culture obsessed with celebrity. We love winners and we want to be winners. But take it from a man who knows more famous people than most of us will ever meet--it's not who you know that's important, it's who you are inside.

In this inspiring book, Pat Williams draws from over fifty years of brushing shoulders with the greats to help you discover what it really means to be a winner. Through his short meditations on success, leadership, family and friends, impact and influence, and becoming a person of excellence, you'll meet

· a young singer who messed up the national anthem and shot to stardom anyway
· a coach who sacrificed his time to give his players the edge
· a marathon runner who knew the secret to pacing yourself
· a political outsider who confidently reached for an impossible goal
· a football player who wouldn't let a broken leg stop him from getting to the Super Bowl
· and many more ordinary people with extraordinary character

These entertaining stories of fascinating people from all walks of life will motivate you to do your best, be yourself, and continually strive to be the person God made you to be.


"Pat's new book is packed with fascinating stories and life lessons for all ages. This may be his best book yet."--Jerry Reinsdorf, Chicago White Sox chairman

"Every book Pat writes leaves you feeling better than when you started."--Bob Ryan, Boston Globe/ESPN

"For decades, sportswriters have relied on Pat's insight, immense wit, and keen memory to bring their stories alive. It's Not Who You Know, It's Who You Are now brings that mother lode of his experiences and memories to his many readers. It's the kind of volume that's destined to become an instant classic."--from the foreword by Roland Lazenby, legendary sportswriter and author of Michael Jordan: The Life

"Pat Williams has captured the essence of every successful person: it's never complicated. Their secrets are always simple and succinct. This isn't just a book, it's a companion to be read and reread many times."--Ernie Accorsi, longtime NFL executive

"These stories are absolute gems that you'll want to read again and again and again."--Ernie Johnson, Inside the NBA studio host


Pat Williams retired as senior vice president of the NBA's Orlando Magic in May 2019 to head up an effort to bring major league baseball to Orlando. He has more than 50 years of professional sports experience, has written more than 100 books, including the popular Coach Wooden, Coach Wooden's Greatest Secret, and Character Carved in Stone. Find out more at www.patwilliams.com.

Jim Denney is a full-time freelance writer with more than one hundred published books to his credit. His collaborative titles include Reggie White in the Trenches, Undefeated with Bob and Brian Griese, and numerous books with Pat Williams, including Go for the Magic, Coach Wooden, and Coach Wooden's Greatest Secret.

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Endorsements

"For decades, sportswriters have relied on Pat's insight, immense wit, and keen memory to bring their stories alive. It's Not Who You Know, It's Who You Are now brings that mother lode of his experiences and memories to his many readers. It's the kind of volume that's destined to become an instant classic."

from the foreword by Roland Lazenby, legendary sportswriter and author of Michael Jordan: The Life

"Pat Williams has captured the essence of every successful person: it's never complicated. Their secrets are always simple and succinct. This isn't just a book, it's a companion to be read and reread many times."

Ernie Accorsi, longtime NFL executive

"Pat Williams has been an important part of the sports world for a long time, and along the way he has met a lot of interesting personalities including Sandy Koufax, Pete Maravich, and Kevin Durant. But as you will see in this fine book, Pat Williams is more interesting than any of them. His stories about the rich and famous will inspire you and make you smile. Consider yourself lucky to have spent quality time with the always entertaining Mr. Williams."

Peter Golenbock, bestselling sports author

"Pat Williams's new book is packed with fascinating stories and life lessons for all ages. This may be his best book yet."

Jerry Reinsdorf, Chicago White Sox chairman

"I love Pat Williams, but I don't understand him. How can someone be so relentlessly optimistic? Every book he writes leaves you feeling better than when you started, and It's Not Who You Know, It's Who You Are is the latest example. He may also have met every single famous person alive, and you will hear from them, or about them, in this delightful tome."

Bob Ryan, Boston Globe/ESPN

"Pat Williams has always served as an inspiration to many, and now he's compiled some of the best stories I've ever read which will inspire you if you're an athlete, a business person, or a parent. These stories are absolute gems which you'll want to read and read again and again and again. It's Not Who You Know, It's Who You Are is a winner--just like Pat."

Ernie Johnson, Inside the NBA on TNT studio host

"No one has studied leadership, success, and winning more than Pat Williams. There is hardly a winner in the sports world (or any other part of society) that Pat has not studied and talked to. The lessons from It's Not Who You Know, It's Who You Are will impact anyone in any profession."

Stan Van Gundy, Detroit Pistons president of basketball operations and head coach

"Pat Williams has amassed a collection of fascinating stories and anecdotes over his long career in sports. I had a hard time putting this book down; you will too."

Marv Albert, Basketball Hall of Fame sportscaster

"In today's sound bite world, Pat has captured the characteristics of successful leaders in sports, politics, and business through quick and powerful stories. Each vignette provides insight for success and the traits that led to outstanding careers by people who we always recognized as leaders--and now we know why they were so successful. Pat has hit another 'grand slam' with this book!"

Ron Wellman, Wake Forest University director of athletics

"It's Not Who You Know, It's Who You Are is a must-read not only for sports fans but for anyone who wants to achieve success in life. Pat Williams has enjoyed a remarkable career and shares with the reader the life lessons that he's learned from a wide variety of people. It's truly an inspiring book."

Mark Murphy, Green Bay Packers president and chief executive officer

"Thank you, Pat, for sharing the life lessons you've learned from these inspiring winners. Dad would have been honored that you included him in your latest book. You're a winner in my eyes!"

Nan Wooden, daughter of Coach John Wooden

"Pat Williams has done it again! His new book is loaded with great material, amusing anecdotes, and inspiring stories. This is a wonderful book that I could not put down."

Wayne Embry, Basketball Hall of Famer

"It's Not Who You Know, It's Who You Are is filled with a lot of success stories and nuggets of inspiration that can help us at any level that we're at. I love how Pat is able to share so many stories that lighten the mood and set the stage for us becoming better people. Truly a great read showcasing lots of great people. There's something for everyone."

Tamika Catchings, WNBA All Star

"I couldn't put this book down. It is loaded with terrific stories, all with a strong message. It's another slam dunk for Pat Williams."

Kevin Ollie, University of Connecticut men's basketball team head coach, 2014 NCAA champion

"Pat Williams is a great storyteller. This latest collection is filled with good life lessons. I had a hard time putting the book down."

Steve Clifford, Charlotte Hornets head coach

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