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Pick Door #1January 28, 2008 A popular television game show of 60s, 70s, and 80s was Let's Make a Deal, created by Monty Hall, the show's host for many years. Contestants picked from the audience were given several choices, often hidden behind curtains numbered 1, 2, and 3. If contestants selected the right curtain, they won valuable prizes. If they selected either of the other two curtains they might win a modest consolation prize, or they would get a "zonk" that was valueless. A zonk might be a rubber chicken or a broken down car. Each day when you go to work you get to choose curtain 1, 2, or 3. If you choose curtain #1, you choose to be a leader and take action to create the future of your organization. When you choose to be a leader, you have a fabulous career and win the big prizes. If you choose curtain #2, you choose to let others lead and you support their efforts. You win a consolation prize of an okay career - not spectacular, but okay. If you choose curtain #3, you choose to either be a bystander who watches things happen without helping or an obstacle that impedes progress. In either case, you get zonked. Your prize is of little value. Maybe a broken down car. Sometimes people challenge me on the choices above. "Everyone can't be a leader," they say. I disagree. Leadership is about actions and results not positions or titles. My definition of a leader is "anyone who helps create what we do not have, leads us to where we have never been, inspires us to become more than we are, or motivates us to achieve more than we intended or even thought was possible." Yes, some individuals are leaders with a capital "L" because they are at the tops of their organizations. However, everyone can be a leader with a small "l" simply by taking the initiative and taking action. During a seminar, we provided assignments for each table and then watched. At a few tables, one or more individuals quickly took charge to get things done. At other tables, no one seemed to be in charge and people spent most of their time talking. The results of the assignment were far superior at the tables where a leader emerged than they were at the other tables. Why do some people step forward to lead and get things done while others are content to stand by and watch things happen? I think it is because they do not realize that they are choosing what is behind the curtains. The Moral of the Story The moral of the story is if you want the big prizes in life, you have to make the right choices. Go ahead, choose curtain #1, and be a leader. It is better than the consolation prize of an okay career and it is much better than being zonked. Watch for our newest book, The Anacondas in Life, coming out in February 2008. Thank you for your interest in our work and for your business. Best wishes for a great 2008. Sincerely, |
