We often laud the story of the underdog — the ‘David vs Goliath.’ The individual or group of individuals who overcome what is initially thought as insurmountable odds to come out on top.

One recent example (and I imagine I’ll get flak for this example) is the San Antonio Spurs defeat (handsomely, in 5 games) of the star-laden Miami Heat in the NBA Finals. The Heat assembled what many considered an all-star team — were pegged to win the both regular season and post-season honors — were outworked, outplayed, and out-teamed by a group of role players and one fundamentally sound basketball player in future Hall-of-Famer, Tim Duncan.

What allowed a group of ordinary players to rise-above, find a ‘6th’ gear, and go from ‘ordinary’ to ‘extraordinary?’

Well if you’re going to dig — then start with the ownership. Take a look at Peter Holt — owner of Holt Cat which is the country’s largest Caterpillar dealership. Central to Holt’ s business and leadership philosophy is ensuring that his business(es) benefit the community by following a specific ethos — in the Spurs’ case, an undying appreciation and gratitude for fans supporting the team. This continues to be a driving force in his ownership.

Next, take a look at Coach Gregg Popovich. Listen to his post-game speech after the Spurs won the 2014 championship. Introspective as the team came up just short the year prior. He didn’t allow the 2012-13 team’s performance detract from the moment. He made it a point to not single out one player. Rather he thanked everyone from the trainers, medical and coaching staff, to management and the players. It’s a deep rooted appreciation.

Tim Duncan, who lets his play do his bidding, has been playing along side guards Manu Ginobili, and Tony Parker since the 2002-03 season. Duncan is a career ‘Double-Double’ player, averaging 10+ points and 10+ rebounds a game. A feat and stat that will tie the bow on his Hall of Fame induction. Unlike some of his contemporaries, Duncan didn’t eschew a college education by spending all 4 years at Wake Forest. It is part of a promise he made to his mother. It shows character and groundedness. What impresses me most about Duncan is his selflessness; his reluctance to take credit. After he won his 5th title, he deferred the spotlight to his team.

If there’s a case for removing last names from the back of jerseys, Duncan and the Spurs make it irrefutable. One of my favorite Coach Bob Knight quotes “You are not playing for the individual name on the back of the jersey, you are playing for the name on the front (Indiana).”

The lowest common denominator between ‘extraordinary’ individuals is a coming together, understanding everyone’s role, leaving ego at the door, an undying appreciation for one another and, most importantly, never losing sight of the main objective. In the Spurs case — a championship. Can individuals be ‘extraordinary’ without being on a team? Sure — it’s not mutually exclusive. Look at Roger Federer in tennis and Phil Mickelson in golf. Two humble, dominant champions who are gracious winners (and losers) in their respective sport.

Now let’s apply the same logic to business. Howard Schultz, the CEO of Starbucks, doesn’t shy away from a business philosophy that mirrors Holt’s.

“It is no longer enough to serve customers, employees, and shareholders. As corporate citizens of the world, it is our responsibility — our duty — to serve the communities where we do business by helping to improve, for example, the quality of citizens’ education, employment, health care, safety, and overall daily life, plus future prospects.” — Howard Schultz

Schultz grew up in government-assisted housing in Canarsie, Brooklyn. His leadership ethos stems from seeing his father, a blue collar worker, not given proper benefits to take care of himself and his family.

In 2011 as the US economy was recovering from the great recession he called on his C-suite brethren to be the driving force of the recovery rather than waiting for federal and state government intervention. In 2014, Schultz further made good on his promise by providing Starbucks employees with full college tuition reimbursement for anyone looking to pursue a bachelor’s degree. It starts with a basic apperciation.

Like Altucher said — ‘the ONLY key to massive abundance is every day being deeply grateful. go deeper each day. that separates extra from ordinary.’

Post hoc ergo propter hoc — is gratefulness a cause or corollary of ‘being extraordinary? I’ll let you decide.

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