Are U Contagious?

Performance is contagious? Ask Nate Robinson, the micro back-up point guard from the Boston Celtics if he thinks so. For those who didn't see the game last night, one of the best sports moments I have witnessed in a long time came during the second quarter of Boston Celtics vs. Orlando Magic NBA playoff game.

There was drama... Rajon Rondo (the spark-plug point guard for the C's) took a shot to the hip and went down hard, hobbling off the floor just as the first quarter came to an end. The arena went silent and the TV even went to commercial. The fact was that the Celtics title hopes rested squarely on the shoulders of how well Rondo would engage his TEAM in this pivotal game 6 for the right to go to the NBA finals. As the TV came out of the break, the announcers talked about about the changes in the lineup for the Celts in second quarter, throwing in a final "oh and it looks like Nate Robinson has replaced Rondo" just as the Magic were bringing the ball down the court. Nobody could have expected what would happen next...

There was heroism...
In the second quarter Nate Robinson introduced himself to the world! What happened over the next 8 minutes 46 seconds was what legends are made of. Lil Nate Rob took over the game, took over offensively, scoring 13 points, and defensively holding Jameer Nelson to nothing. He had the once gasping arena on their feet, literally shaking the confines of the TD Garden. He out-played, out-hustled, and out-influenced all the other 9 players on the court. He was waiving to the fans, slamming his hands on the parquet floor, and asking for the Orlando Magic to bring it on!

There was victory...
The Celtics won 96-84 to advance to their 27th NBA Finals with the right to play for the 18th title in the storied Boston Celtics' history. They did so in style!

It's these AMAZING stories that grab hold of me and wont let go. It's these legendary moments that inspire me and remind me of what's possible. How someone who didn't even play a single minute the first two games of the Boston/Orlando series can captivate an entire TEAM, arena, and TV viewing audience! AMAZING!

So what separates Nate Robinson's performance from everyone else in the arena? What pushes someone to step up in the most clutch situations? How does Nate's performance enhance those around him to take it to the next level? Whatever "it" is, it's contagious! His effort, energy, and confidence all become contagious. Complicated to explain, easy to understand. We have all been there. We have all been in "the zone", feeling like nothing bad can happen, nothing can take you down, nothing can get in your way of your goals.

So I leave you with this, think about how you spark the people you work with, live with, engage with daily. How do you become contagious to those around you? What's your equivalent to the 8 minutes 46 seconds second quarter lil Nate Rob had? Furthermore, how do you prepare to step up in the biggest of moments to be contagious?  All so fascinating, cant wait to hear them...