In 1965 Francois Truffaut was one of the most famous movie directors in the world. He was the leader of the French New Wave in cinema, an innovative approach that pioneered unusual camera angles and lighting. His talents were in high demand.

When the actress Leslie Caron, a friend of Truffaut, was filming a movie in London, she heard that the director was in the city and invited him to lunch. He agreed, not knowing that the invitation had been arranged by a young actor who was using his connection with Caron to meet the director.

The actor was one of the youngest people ever to win a best-acting Academy Award. He won the prize at 21 and continued to build his career. He wanted to meet Truffaut to pitch a movie script he had recently bought.

The actor, Warren Beatty, had purchased the rights to a story called, “Bonnie and Clyde” and hoped to have Truffaut direct the film version. What happened at the lunch became a Hollywood legend.

Beatty arrived at the end of the lunch and Caron introduced the two men. For the next hour the two discussed the project. Beatty left convinced that Truffaut would do the film.

But, to Beatty’s later amazement, Truffaut turned down the offer. The reason was simple. Beatty had focused the conversation so much on himself that Truffaut developed an immediate dislike for the young man. He decided to reject the film because he didn’t want to work with Beatty.

Beatty had repeatedly missed every signal of discomfort given by Truffaut. He had ignored the other man’s growing impatience and blindly pursued his own agenda. What could have been a monumental entertainment partnership evaporated in the moment.

Beatty went on to great success. He learned from his mistakes. But he always regretted his “missed opportunity”. If he had “read” the other man correctly, he could have created an exceptional productive relationship.

Learn to “read” other people. Pay attention to their signals. Ask God to make you sensitive. Focus more on them than yourself.

The Bible says in Philippians 2:3, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.” NIV

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