Choosing participants for your Mastermind Group

Guest Contributor: Reg Gupton
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That momentous day

It was a beautiful spring day about 15 years ago. As I walked down the hall in the real estate company where I worked, I was approached by Mike, a colleague. He asked me if I had a moment. Certainly was my response. Mike was an associate in the firm who I respected and valued. He was positive in attitude and active in his business. I enjoyed his company.

He asked if I was familiar with Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill. I was and it is still one of my favorite books of all time.

Mike said that he was beginning a Mastermind Group based on his recent reading of Hill's book. He wanted to know if I was interested in helping create and participate in a group. I asked who else was being invited. He mentioned a few names of folks who I knew and several who I did not know. We chatted briefly about his plans and the day and time of the initial meeting. I was in.

Since that fateful day, I have constantly been in a Mastermind Group and plan on being in one forever.

What to watch out for.

I often begin my personal invitations just like Mike did. I ask if the person if familiar with Hill's book. I am continually surprised by individuals who have never heard of nor read it. In my opinion it is a must read for everyone. And I mean everyone.

I ask if they are interested in joining a Mastermind Group as described in Hill's book. If they ask general questions about size, structure, meeting time, meeting length etc, their questions are answered. If they are interested and agree, we are off to the races. Too many questions are not good. I don't want to have to persuade them. If they need to be sold, then we may do not have a good fit. Being open is a key as is trust.

New people are told that we are both on probation for 2-3 meetings. They can drop out with notice and no reason. We can ask them to leave with the same courtesies, notice and no reason. It is great to have a "getting to know you" period on both sides. There might be a fit or their might not. Fit is critical.

What I have learned

Find folks who are positive in their attitude toward life and business. Some are not. You are going to be spending lots of time (hopefully) in a relationship with those in your Group. Some things can be changed in ones life. Changing one's attitude is often a struggle and takes significant energy and focus. Choose your members wisely.

One of the major attributes that I seek is clear thinking. Clear thinking is very, very important. The invitees do not have to be geniuses. They just have to be positive, well spoken and clear of thought. Being well-read does not hurt either.

It does not matter, in my opinion, if they are in your industry. There are some potent advantages in having people in your Group who don't do what you do for a living. They can bring an outside perspective to your thinking. We often are blinded by the "normal" way of doing things. Outside observation can be and often is very, very powerful.

There will be lots and lots of give and take at Group meetings. Some of the conversation can be highly emotional. Certain individuals do not take criticism, even well meaning, very well. They believe that the only good ideas are their ideas. Watch out for folks like this.

Another consideration is to agree on the position held (or likely to be held) by the members. Are you going to restrict membership to for example, all entrepreneurs, or business owners. Or are trades-people, non-professionals ok too? You must reach an agreement and stick to it. In my opinion clarity of thinking is more important than job position.

What else

We have found that members must commit to the process and the Group. What goes on at Group meetings is extremely personal and private. Confidentiality is everything. Nothing leaves the room. Nothing.

Commitments must be kept to one's self and to the Group. Committing to be on time is very, very important. The meetings start at the time the group agrees upon. Period!

We also have a commitment to respect each other. No petty conversation or gossip. This is a professional group.

If you invite the correct people who are a great fit for the Group, you will form lasting friendships and move your life and business to new levels of success and achievement.