LET'S MAKE A DEAL

In the 1960s to 1980s Television Game Show “Let’s Make a Deal,” hosted by Monty Hall, the contestant was asked to choose between three doors—Door #1, Door #2, and Door #3. Behind one of the doors would be a new sports car. Behind another door would be a moderately priced prize.  And behind the third door would be a “Zonk.”  A Zonk is a prize worth nothing, such as a wheel barrel full of dirt, a hay bail, or a trash bag.  

After the contestant selects a door, for example, Door #1, Monty Hall would open one of the two remaining doors, for example, Door #2.  When Door #2 opened, it would always be a “Zonk.”  Monty Hall would then ask the contestant if he or she would like to switch to Door #3.  With the audience yelling and the contestant looking up to heaven for divine guidance, the contestant would either stick with their original selection of Door #1 or switch to Door #3.

Should the contestant switch to Door #3?  The answer is “yes.” The contestant should always switch from the door they originally picked. 

Why?

The answer lies in the law of probability.  At the start of the game, the chances of picking the Door with the new sports car is 1/3rd.  When Monty Hall opens a door without the car, a 2/3rd probability is assigned to the door the contestant did not originally select.  The contestant now has a greater chance of winning if he or she selects Door #3. 

Does this guarantee that the contestant will win the new car if he or she switches?  No, however, if played enough times, contestants will win a new sports car 2/3rds of the time.  

So what?

In our lives, we make deals with ourselves each day. We may eat more than we should by convincing ourselves that we will exercise more - tomorrow.  We may leave a little early from work, rationalizing that you only took 15 minutes for lunch and ate lunch at your desk.  We may hold back from giving to a charity, convinced that someone else will surely give, and how could your $20 make a difference anyway?  We may not apply for a new job, ask for a raise, or volunteer for a new assignment because we could get turned down. We may not visit a friend or family member in the hospital because it’s too far, you are afraid you will get sick, or you convince yourself a call or card will do just fine.

These are the deals of mediocrity, fear, and failure. We have all fallen victim to one or more of these deals: one after another, picking the wrong door, holding back from our potential, getting the “Zonk,” and going home as losers.    

But it does not need to be this way! There is a way to always win, to pick the Door with the new sports car, to follow the law of probability, and to go home a winner.

Select the door of the Servant Leader—teach, heal, counsel, build, pray, write, hope, forgive, listen, invent, lead, create, and love. Open just one of these doors, and you will step into a life worth living, a fulfilling purpose, and a contribution to the well-being of others.  

Let’s Make a Deal!

Until Next Friday,