How to Put the Sizzle Back in a Stale Mastermind

Guest Contributor: Melanie Benson Strick
Melanie's Posts - Melanie's Blog


Have you ever been in a mastermind group where the energy seemed to be falling flat? Maybe the group's communication is a bit low, people seem distracted, commitments are not being met or even members just aren't showing up for the meetings.

A stale mastermind can start to have a counteractive impact on your goals, dreams and bottom line. If people aren't engaged, the "third mind" thinking that is created with a fresh, sizzling group can't be accessed.

A few years ago I found myself in that very place. My much loved and treasured mastermind was falling apart and I didn't know how to get them back on track. It seemed that no one was really that excited anymore.

Now I don't know if you are like me, but I counted on my mastermind group to help me connect to out-of-the-box ideas and to keep me on track with my high ROI opportunities. So when my group wasn't working, it meant I wasn't able to tap into the synergy that I thrived in.

So how do you get a deflated mastermind group back on track? Here are four ideas to get that sizzle back.

1. Create a 30 day personal challenge. Have you ever noticed how a short sprint on the treadmill can get your juices flowing quickly? It's the same with a 30 day challenge. Plus it can really boost the morale for the group to see everyone leaping forward with a goal.

2. Change up the agenda. Maybe everyone is bored with the same ole-same ole way of doing things. Change it up every meeting so that things are fresh. If you always do "hot seats" maybe the next meeting should have a theme?

3. Trim the deadweight. Your group may just need to drop the people who are bringing the energy down. The people who aren't engaged will act like a black hole that sucks the good energy right out. If someone isn't showing up at 100%, it might be time to release them and invite new energy into the group.

4. Have a fun meeting. Could you put a little zip in the group by having a fun meeting? Maybe it's time to have a mastermind retreat at a four-star resort or meet for drinks at a favorite restaurant? Putting more social time in place may help people feel more connected to each other and increase the loyalty and commitment to the group.

My group began to thrive again by using two of these strategies. We let go of some members who just weren't willing to play at a higher level and we instituted quarterly "retreats" at four star resorts. Our first retreat was in Vegas at the Ritz Carlton. It was exactly what the Doctor ordered to get us back on track!