My ten-year old nephew was very upset because his little brother wouldn’t sell him Park Lane. Obviously he had Mayfair, and he was prepared to swap pretty much everything else he had to get the set, but his little brother wouldn’t play dice. And he couldn’t understand it … he wasn’t being fair.

I took him aside for a chat and asked if he wanted to know the two things that I thought were going on. He did.

I said that his little brother didn’t care that much about the actual game of Monopoly, but was very interested in him being upset. In weighing up the deal, between acquiring lots of properties or seeing his big brother get all wound up, the latter option was much more attractive.

The second thing to know was that it was completely up to his little brother whether he did the deal or not.

I also told him that both of these were true for any deals that I did (a sale being a type of deal). If someone isn’t doing the deal – buying what I’m selling – it’s always because in their world, with their motivations, not doing the deal is the better option. There isn’t enough value in it for them. And it’s always their choice – they don’t have to do the deal.

Reflecting on the whole thing later, I reckon the final lesson is to not be attached. Do whatever it takes to be fine either way with any sale or any deal.

I’d love to hear your thoughts – what’s the worst Monopoly catastrophe you’ve been part of? You can leave them below.