To LIN-finity and Beyond.... NYC gets a shot of Adrena-LIN... What is going on with the New York Knicks and the Jeremy Lin craze? What does it have to teach us about ourselves, about teamwork, persistence and leadership?
Beyond the 7 straight wins since Jeremy has started at point guard, beyond scoring 136 points in his first 5 NBA starts, the most by any NBA player since the NBA merged with the ABA in 1976, it seems to me that something is happening that transcends a mere Charlie Sheen-esque "LIN-ing." There is an energy that is contagious that has captured the imagination of millions of fans, from President Obama to basketball aficionados globally. Yet, even beyond the world of sports, the Jeremy Lin story has sparked interest and excitement. Maybe like you, I find myself asking, Why? and What, if anything does it say about us? What does this story have to teach us about our life and leadership?
What draws us to this story? I would suggest that it has something to do with an "underdog" who makes good. I would suggest that it has something to do with challenging and breaking down stereotypes - Ivy League graduates (Lin is a Harvard grad) and Asian-Americans aren't supposed to be NBA stars. I would suggest it has something to do with our attraction to a star who appears, in many ways, to be quite ordianry, even humble. I would suggest it has something to do with our fasination with a star who talks more about his teammates and teamwork than himself and his own accomplishments and talents. I would suggest that it has something to do with the triumph of the human spirit, the power of dedication, determination and hard work. I would suggest that it has something to do with a role model who leads by example and who concerns himself more with how to help his those around him look good than looking good himself.
Admittedly, this public story is only a little over a week old, but clearly who Jeremy Lin is today has a great deal to do with who he has worked so hard, day-in and day-out, to be. He watches films to learn from his mistakes; and he understands that his mistakes are just opportunities for growth and learning. He speaks in every interview about camaraderie and connection, about the
friendships that exist off the court as well as the way his teammates
support one another on the court. His example, the way he carries himself on and off the court, inspires not only his teammates to work and play harder, but also provides all those who watch with insight into the power of athletes and individuals coming together as a team, with a common purpose, to accomplish a common goal.
So, as many of us continue to follow this LIN-deralla story, I hope that we all get a little LIN-fected with the desire to persist in pursuing our dreams and discover that the fun and the reward are as likely to be found in the process of following as they are in the realization of those dreams. I hope that we learn a little something from Jeremy Lin about leadership - that true leadership requires sacrifice, selflessness, authenticity, life-long learning and teamwork.
Thank you Jeremy for your good example and for the joy you have already brought to so many. Thank you too for your commitment to giving back to others, for your passion and energy, and for your willingness to spend summers in Taiwan coaching young kids and helping them learn the sport you clearly love so much.
You have reminded me, in your short time as a "star" that the true stars, true leaders, are those who create community and make those around them better; the true stars, true leaders, are those who build up others rather than break others down; the true stars, true leaders, are as likely to assist as they are to score; the true stars, true leaders, lead by example; the true stars, true leaders, do not necessarily do great things, but rather do all the little things with great passion, compassion and love.
Thank you Jeremy. LIN Long and Prosper!
