Mastermind Group Resources

Being Mastermindful

2008-07-17T12:24:00.000-07:00

Guest Contributor: Michael Lipp
Michael's Posts - Michael's Blog

This is the most important thing I've noticed about both my mastermind groups (the third didn't work out and has disbanded.) And it sounds casual, even inconsequential.

You're not in it because of your wisdom. You're in it because of theirs. So be sure you come to each call with what you want to know; where can coaching support what you're up to. If the word coaching doesn't appeal to you, where can brainstorming help?

This arose forcefully in my group of six, when at the end of one session, one of the participants asked us all to look at this question, "How can you come to this call and not be eager to take the coaching?"

I was being a generous ego. I'd gladly support any of them and then I'd listen, gathering what I could. But it takes real effort to determine what I want, what I want now. And to phrase that in such a way that they would understand what I need.

So I really looked at why I was hiding from the coaching. After all, I'm a coach. There's something there about why people are not eager for my coaching. I am still examining this question. It matters to my projects; it matters to my relationship with this group; it matters to my business.

Good Things come in Threes

2008-07-16T11:58:00.000-07:00

Guest Contributor: Debbie Lousberg
Debbie's Posts - Debbie's Blog

Yes, I've joined yet another one! They keep getting more and more specialized and powerful. First was the fellow Career Coaches, who still meet on a monthly basis via phone; next was the Small Business owners group, who still meet every Thursday morning; and now, the 3 Friends who happen to be Coaches group, who meet at the end of each month at one member's house.

Why three groups? Because at this point in my business as a "solo-preneur" working in a unique field, I need the support of people who can clearly relate to me and my business challenges. I also belong to a few organizations for the sole purpose of networking and staying visible in the community, though I am more apt to give up those meetings over a Master Mind group meeting. As you know, Master Minders gather together to support each other and brainstorm success strategies and as my business hits a new level of growth, I cannot get enough of that!

This new group was formed as a result of friendship connections and shared business goals. Because there only 3 of us (and we may choose to stay that size for awhile), we are able to really dig deep and explore our successes and challenges. Each month, one of us is in the "spotlight" and gets to be the focus of the meeting, discussing whatever coaching or business building issue is most important. The other 2 of us listen, ask questions, challenge, and encourage. We have made profound progress and been brought to tears by insights gained from this powerful venue. All that from a party of 3!

These three groups cover all the important bases for me now - my specific coaching niche, small business development in general, and most recently, a more in-depth coaching/friendship area. So how many is too many? Don't be afraid to explore other groups you learn of. Different people, new ideas, with a unique focus can do no harm. If another one comes across my path, I'll carefully evaluate. It would have to be pretty special and fill a need not already addressed. For now, Three is the perfect number.

Errors in Thinking

2008-07-16T11:40:00.000-07:00

Guest Contributor: Julia Wert-Marrocco
Julia's Posts - Julia's Blog

Let's address two errors in thinking that affect your personal success in Masterminding:

Error Number One: Underestimating what you can learn from other members.
Error Number Two: Underestimating the value of your contribution

Both mistakes tend to occur in industry-specific groups.

Error Number One:

Somewhere along the line, someone taught you to seek out people who are more successful than you are, to "rub shoulders" with them, and to see what you can learn from them. I absolutely agree. In fact, I encourage my clients to go "shadow" people in their industry who are performing at a higher level, so they can see the "gap" between their current level and the desired level and figure out the steps they need to take to take it up to the next notch. All very well and good.

Now back to our Mastermind Group. Example: Let's say you want to join a Mastermind Group of peers in your industry but you want to make sure all the members are above your level of production. If the other members insist on the same thing, there would never be a group! There will always be someone at a higher level and someone at a lower level. Yet, I hear this quite often: "I don't want to be the most experienced member of the group and get stuck with a bunch of newbies". WHY NOT?

Let me be honest. That's your ego talking. Some of the most transformational ideas I have heard came from absolutely green, wet-behind-the-ears people. I have even heard a child say something that turned into a brilliant idea I would have never thought of on my own.

If you are in a receptive state, you will receive. And of course, another universal law is that you get out what you put in. (You reap what you sow)

Error Number Two:

Error Number Two is a close relative of Number One. It goes like this: "What could I possibly contribute? I'm the new kid on the block. I don't know as much as the rest of the people in the group so I'll just listen." This will keep the group from moving ahead. As Sam Silverstein, the incoming President of the National Speakers Association said when he came to visit our Oregon Chapter recently, "All I have to share with you are the experiences I've had and the decisions I've made". That is what each of us has to share with others, and that's the good news. We each have our own stories. Our own past journeys, our victories, our mistakes, and our knowledge and wisdom that resulted from those experiences. THAT is what you bring to the table. Never underestimate that. In your past experiences is some nugget that one of the members of the group needs to hear. It may be just a seed that brings forth another idea, upon which yet another idea may piggy-back. That is how a Mastermind Group works!

Please don't tell me that you don't want to be the most experienced person in the group. You may have the most experience in your industry (assuming your group is industry-specific), but another member have immense experience in something that could really be your next launching pad. Or the simple child-like idea that sprouts your next big success.
If you have a child at home, ask him or her a question relating to business, and listen carefully. And if you don't think you have anything worthy to contribute, you need to change your thinking.

To your MasterMinding success,

Coach Julia

Social Networking-A Virtual Mastermind

2008-07-15T10:35:00.000-07:00

Guest Contributor: Janet Napora
Janet's Posts - Janet's Blog

When we think about mastermind groups we generally think about scheduled conference calls or meetings with specific agendas or topics of discussion. The biggest trend being promoted these days are social networking sites.

Social networking itself is nothing new but the proliferation of new networking sites is. There seems to be a new one popping up everyday. There are also established sites being more heavily utilized.

Social networking sites are used to reach potential customers and business contacts. Along the way you're going to meet a diverse group of people and genuine relationships will be built.

These relationships will become your virtual mastermind. When you join or start a mastermind group you have specific goal in mind, you look for people with common goals, ethics, standards and mindset. So, why wouldn't you have the same standards when networking online?

You may be using social networks for business reasons but you're also going to connect with some people on a personal level. Any relationship should be built on a solid foundation. Is this person someone you would want in your mastermind?

Masterminds are a good way to refocus, a way to connect with like minded people but, what about the rest of the time? Who are you surrounding yourself with? Have you ever tried changing something about yourself but continued to surround yourself with people who do Not share the same goals?

Look at people who are trying to quit smoking but surrounded themselves with smokers or people who are trying to improve their health but continue to surround themselves with people whose health is not a priority. In the end change is up to the individual but environment is also a big factor.

Think about your personal goals. Is your virtual mastermind helping you reach them? Are they supporting you? We all have people around us that may not have the same mindset and sometimes there's nothing we can do about them. They're in our lives to stay. You do however have a choice when meeting and connecting with new people.

When you connect with someone it's not important that you have the same goals. When people climb mountains they don't all take the same route but they do have the same goal, to reach the top. It doesn't even have to be the same mountain, who are you surrounding yourself with?

May The Force Be With You

2008-07-10T11:42:00.000-07:00

Guest Contributor: Yvonne Mahoney
Yvonne's Posts - Yvonne's Blog

Having introduced Deena Douglas' The Seven Steps Into The Mastermind Consciousness to my mastermind group, I confess to taking a step back from really using it to enhance the success of what we were all individually trying to achieve.

Number five of the Seven Steps which is about asking for what you want, states "Knowing that I am in conscious contact with Infinite Intelligence and my Master Mind partners, I now ask for, and accept help and guidance in the area of ...."

Why feel self conscious about saying this as a group? Well it got heard but no one else was showing any enthusiasm for a group response that required us to say " (name) I know that the Mastermind/Spirit hears your request and it is already yours".

Yes, OK I felt a little foolish even though many of the participants are very familiar with the idea of asking for what you want from a higher power. We are mostly familiar with the idea of manifestation, have seen films like The Secret or What the Bleep Do We Know, have mostly attempted in our own ways to connect with a higher spirit.

But you know what? Is it just me or does it feel ever so slightly cultish to respond as a group when each individual has expressed their goals? Maybe everyone else felt a little sheepish too about saying this out aloud.

Number six, which is about receiving, states "I lovingly and gratefully accept that the Master Mind supplies me with an abundance of all things necessary to fulfil my desire. I know that the miracle working power of the Master Mind has responded to my every need. I assume the feeling I would have if my requests were already fulfilled."

I guess this had me thinking that I was assuming all along that this source of power was outside myself. Some Higher Being. And that could be valid too. But I would also like to entertain the idea that there is power in the collective spirit when several minds are banded together to achieve some greater good than can be achieved by one person alone.

So I was quite interested to come across Mary Robinson Reynolds' own Seven Steps to the Mastermind Connection.

One of her steps states "I SURRENDER ordinary thinking. I recognize and accept that I desire to add to my own inherent power the sum and substance of the intelligence, experience, knowledge and spirituality of my MasterMind partners to provide amazing ideas and affirmative language to assist me in generating new results now."

Isn't that neat? Here I must acknowledge my own power and add to that the strength and resources I gain from others in my group as well as some other universal energy that moves amongst us. Indeed, may the Force be with you. And I will definitely share this again with my mastermind group.

What a difference a year makes

2008-07-08T12:14:00.000-07:00

Guest Contributor: Kayleen Reusser
Kayleen's Posts - Kayleen's Blog

A little over a year ago, I was starting a full-time career as a writer after spending 15 years juggling writing, a family and full-time job. Over 1,500 of my articles had been published, as well as several stories in books like Chicken Soup for the Soul. Now I planned to write full-time and live my dream.

However, after a few months, discouragement set in. Working alone made it a challenge to stay excited and focused.

One night, while attending a monthly writing workshop led by local author Shirley Jump at Barnes and Noble at Jefferson Point, I met Laurie Gray and Tammy VanBaalen. Both women had similar aspirations of jump-starting their careers.

Tammy VanBaalen was a licensed clinical social worker. She wanted to market and grow her therapy practice as well as pursue opportunities in life coaching and consulting. She also wanted to receive training in neurofeedback and write articles about her vocation to help people.

Laurie Gray was a part-time deputy prosecuting attorney in Fort Wayne.

She wanted to find publishers for her Socratic parenting book, a young adult novel and a picture book. As a part-time deputy prosecutor, she worked with drug addicts and juvenile sex offenders, so another goal was to find tools to help those people successfully complete treatment and stay out of the criminal justice system.

Each of us had read Jack Canfield's book, Principles of Success, in which he discusses Master Mind groups (Canfield is co-founder of the Chicken Soup for the Soul books). None of us had been in a Master Mind group, but we decided to form our own "dream team". In January 2007 the three of us met together for the first Master Mind group.

The basic philosophy of a Master Mind group, according to Canfield in his book, is that "more can be achieved in less time when people work together. The point is to meet regularly with two or more individuals who are willing to share ideas, thoughts, information, feedback, and resources."

When Tammy, Laurie, and I began meeting monthly, we spent time getting to know each other. Tammy found Master Mind forms with questions about goals online and emailed them to everyone in the group. We filled them out and read them to each other at our first meeting.

At our meetings we brought news of accomplishments and progress from the previous month and often asked for input about upcoming projects. Our meetings usually lasted 1.5 hours. The fact that we were all in separate careers was helpful as we brought separate bits of information and networking skills to our group. At another meeting we watched The Secret DVD together and talked about it.

Outside of the group sessions, we individually studied books and other materials that related to the subject of success: Napoleon Hill's Think and Grow Rich, Ernest Holmes' The Science of Mind and Wallace Wattle's The Science of Getting Rich: Financial Success through Creative Thought.

After meeting for a year, we are each pleased with our individual and group progress. Over the past few months, Tammy has seen her therapy practice flourish. She also created and trademarked a time-out blanket that she plans to market nationally (http://www.tammy-vanbaalen.com/).

The writing and neurofeedback training goals are on hold, but she is not disappointed. "For me 2008 is already shaping up as a year of opportunity and growth as I have worked to establish priorities that include the growth of my therapy practice," she says.

Laurie's goals have changed somewhat over the past year, too. "I have changed my focus from getting published to learning, growing, and writing. I still hold the vision of my published books as a positive intention, but I focus my energy on what I can accomplish each day towards that result, rather than the end itself."

As a result of her involvement in the Master Mind group, in February 2007 Laurie created the Token of Change(TM), a coin and affirmation magnet set designed to help people focus their thoughts, and create and maintain positive change in their lives. She found a business partner who helped her develop the idea and produce a final product that is now available online at www.TokenofChange.com and in a handful of retail locations. She also wrote My Token of Change: A Coin and Book for Children Ages 3-103.

She adds that a value of belonging to a Master Mind group for her has been the opportunity to hear new viewpoints. "As an attorney, married to an attorney, with lots of attorney friends and colleagues, it has been extremely helpful to me to have a professional free-lance writer and a licensed counselor and life coach as part of my Master Mind group," she says. "Their experience and expertise have fueled my own desire to write and help others in ways my own circles of friends and colleagues could not."

Tammy had read about Mastermind Groups and knew they often met through e-mail or teleconferencing. She has appreciated that our Master Mind group chose to meet in person. "Our group has started small, but is diverse. This has enhanced our ability to get to know each other. I believe all of these things have contributed to the success of our group and that we will continue to provide mutual encouragement and support to each other," she says.

In 2007, the encouragement from my Master Mind group induced me to expand my writing to newer and bigger markets. A year ago, the thought of writing a book was overwhelming. However, as we talked about it, Laurie and Tammy helped me think of it as several magazine articles put together. That made it seem manageable. I'm currently awaiting the publication of my first children's book and am assigned to do three more children's biographies for the same publisher this summer. My goal is to write more books yet this year.

An unexpected bonus came when I wrote about the Master Mind group on my blog (http://kayleenr.blogspot.com/). International entrepreneur and small business specialist Evan Carmichael read it and asked me to blog about Master Mind groups at his website. That monthly column about the value of belonging to a Master Mind group has been published for over a year at this site: http://www.evancarmichael.com/Mastermind-Group/labels/kayleen%20reusser.html.

Tammy perhaps sums up our experiences in the Master Mind group best. "We have found that a Mastermind Group is a great way to meet positive people who are motivated. Whether you are wanting to make changes, grow personally and/or professionally, it is a good way to get support and to establish and stay focused on goals."

For more details about masterminding, read The Success Principles or go to http://www.jackcanfield.com.

No I In Team

2008-07-07T10:01:00.000-07:00

Guest Contributor: Kelly Smith
Kelly's Posts - Kelly's Blog

"There is no I in Team." Ever heard this expression? I think some have either forgotten it or someone neglected to teach it to them. I have found one thing that can not only ruin a business or a relationship is an ego. If there is one person in the group that has seen or think he has experienced a bit more success than a few others, that person may come to expect others to bow to their needs even in a Mastermind Group.

Ego actually led to the downfall of a mastermind group I belonged to, people didn't want to participate in events because they were often belittled or pushed by one particular member that even the mediator was intimidated by. The particular member seemed to lose sight of the mastermind focus.

Of course, confidence in oneself is important but an inflated ego can push others away and eventually work it's way through a group like a virus through a computer eventually rotting it out from the inside leaving everyone feeling resentful for even taking part. The whole purpose of a mastermind group is people meeting on equal ground to share like minded ideas and work together. It's NOT meant to be a hierarchy. I repeat a mastermind group is not a dictatorship even if you're the one who started it! If you initiate a mastermind group find one to three people who can act as unbiased mediators if possible and tell them to even call you on it and hopefully your ego won't be so inflated by that time that you will listen.

One of the benefits I can say about being a mom is it really teaches you humility. You share everything, don't have many private moments, constantly working as a team with your children and hopefully your spouse and even reveal some not so proud moments when you're children are testing you. ;)

You want a mastermind group to be an enjoyable experience with other peers where you can learn and grow together.

Its Not Just About Business Owners

2008-07-02T13:21:00.000-07:00

Guest Contributor: Chris Barrow
Chris' Posts - Chris' Blog

In our dental mastermind groups (The Breathe Business Club) we took advice from our clients last year and opened the doors to their business managers this year.

That was a radical departure from the usual "Owners and working spouses only" rule that has prevailed for the last 7 years.

But the clients have evolved (all of them dentists) and their marketplace has evolved, to embrace a far more serious approach to the business end of things.

So whereas before, they were happy to do their own book-keeping and administration, they now have to cope with the demands of:

1. Sophisticated financial modelling and pricing;

2. Robust marketing systems;

3. Excellent customer service skills;

4. Non-clinical operational controls and

5. Team-building

What historically was the preserve of the typical lone ranger, has now become the responsibility of people with different skill-sets.

In January we allowed business managers to attend our quarterly two-day meetings - and the effect was immediate and very welcome.

Our new guests added to the debate from the "grass roots" perspective - and, to the relief of the clients, often took the lions share of the "fieldwork" back home with them after the event.

Looking forward, we are considering either some special workshops for business managers throughout the year, or even a business managers mastermind group in addition.

By serving the needs of our clients, we are expanding the income generating opportunities in our core business.

Should you have a Mastermind Buddy?

2008-07-02T12:17:00.000-07:00

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

Many years ago I was part of a mastermind where we paid a well-known performance coach to facilitate our group's experience.

In the first call the performance coach assigned the members into buddy teams. This was something new to us as we our current process had been to show up on the calls and conduct our mastermind meeting. So why did we need a buddy? We would soon find out.

To help us get started our performance coach gave us a buddy task.

Each week we were to check in with our buddy for 15 minutes to set an intention for the week and state anything that we needed support around. We HAD to have that call regardless if it was 5 am in the morning or 5 pm at night.

So we all embarked into our buddy calls, religiously checking in each week, else the wrath of our performance coach was to be had by all. (We were all a little afraid of this man, which I guess on some level meant there was no way we were going to fall down on our commitments. But I digress.)

What happened over the course of the next 6 months was truly amazing.

My buddy and I flew into massive transformation and accomplishments. We were both relatively clear on our focus and the weekly buddy calls helped us flush out any issues so we stayed on track. We kept our commitment to our time each week and often talked up to 30 minutes.

The second group of two had decent success. They were both floundering a bit with goals and clarity but managed to support each other on an emotional level. The calls happened about 80% of the time and they often talked up to two hours.

The third group couldn't find a time to talk, were not willing to challenge each other to keep the commitment and actually gave up on the group all together.

Notice a theme here? Not only did regular, committed check-in's with the buddy increase our ability to accomplish our goals but an added bonus occurred. Both of the “successful buddy teams” are still close friends almost five years later.

I've used this strategy with the groups I facilitate (without the coach fear factor) and I've found that the members who truly keep their commitment to a weekly buddy connection propel beyond the members who don't.

I believe that the level of accountability, feeling of regular connection to another "like minded person," and weekly clarity about what's truly important keeps us on track like no other process can.

I hope this inspires YOU to engage a weekly buddy connection too.

Commitment: Mastermind Success Factor

2008-06-25T11:25:00.000-07:00

Guest Contributor: Hueina Su
Hueina's Posts - Hueina's Blog

When it comes to achieving success, whether personal or professional, commitment is one of the top must-have factors. In order to have a successful mastermind group that truly supports each member's vision and goals, I'm sure you'd agree that having each member's full commitment to the mastermind group and to the group process is critical.

It sounds simple and totally logical, right? Why wouldn't you be committed to your own mastermind group? In reality, however, I've found that not everyone is on the same page about this one.

For example, one of the mastermind groups I belong to recently had a heated discussion on the issue of commitment, and we almost decided to break up the group as a result.

We've had this group for about two years and it was going strong. All of the members are entrepreneurs & service professionals, and we meet once a month in person. We are committed to honing our professional skills, always have a lot of great ideas and cheer each other on as we all make progress in our businesses. It was going very well, until recently.

Some of the members started to miss quite a few meetings, due to other activities and commitments. Others started to question whether they are committed to our mastermind group and see it as a priority. Overall, we were unhappy that some members kept missing our meetings, and it's a sign of lack of commitment and respect. Of course, sometimes people have to miss a meeting because of emergencies, or important business commitments that they cannot re-arrange. That's totally understandable. But when you knew the meeting time ahead of time, and repeatedly choose to attend other activities instead, that does raise the question about commitment. It finally got to the point where we had to sit down and put this on agenda, so we could all voice our opinions. We were seriously considering "un-inviting" some members, or breaking up the group into two groups in order to accommodate everyone's schedule better, and/or opening up our closed group to new members. On the other hand, we do love our mastermind group and everyone in it, and everyone prefers to keep our group intact, if at all possible.

So, after some lengthy discussions and flushing out a lot of emotions and ideas, we finally decided to keep the group together as is. We are in this together, and we are willing to work at it. Everyone asserted their commitment to the group, and we moved on to discuss possible new directions and project ideas for our mastermind group. We've got a new lease of life for our mastermind group, and new level of appreciation, commitment and respect.

If you are starting a mastermind group, it's important to have everyone agree on the level of commitment that's expected. If you're experiencing a similar challenge in your current mastermind group, or any professional group, you might want to address the issue promptly, before it erodes the morale of the entire group and causes bigger problems down the road. Since everyone and every group naturally grow and evolve over time, it's also a good idea to review the ground rules from time to time, and see if you need to make any revisions to better suit your group's needs.

Waiting My Turn

2008-06-19T12:17:00.000-07:00

Guest Contributor: Michael Lipp
Michael's Posts - Michael's Blog

One of the things I keep learning from the Mastermind groups I'm in is waiting for my turn. I keep bumping into my own ego - I keep wanting everyone to be there for me - for me to tell them what they should do and for everyone concentrating on supporting what I want. Particularly those times when I'm either bubbling up with ideas or doubling over with problems

I'd like to think that's only my past showing up. I have overcome that (hah!) But I haven't. And it keeps teaching me the most important part of the Mastermind. I have to listen. And no matter how well I think I listen, there's still more to it.

I'm a coach and the most valuable thing I bring to any coaching session is the way I listen. Clients get much more from my listening than they do from anything I say.

The most valuable Mastermind listening happens when someone other than me is offering coaching to someone else. Even when I know that I'm not particularly interested in that person's problem. Because I've discovered that I'm very interested in that person. But besides that, no one ever speaks only to that person and only about their issue. They are always speaking to me about my issue; I just have to listen.

So my foolish impatience keeps my attention in the wrong place. When I'm only interested in me, I am not paying attention to what is very likely my most valuable input.

My Trusted Advisors... and Board of Directors... and Focus Group...and...

2008-06-18T09:26:00.000-07:00

Guest Contributor: Debbie Lousberg
Debbie's Posts - Debbie's Blog

My Business Development mentor, who also facilitates my Master Mind group, reminded me recently that our Thursday morning meetings are just the place to come to try out new ideas and strategies. Here is a group of people whose sole purpose is to listen and support me in reaching my goals. This includes offering up that good old fashioned constructive criticism.

An exercise I encourage my clients to do as they're contemplating a career transition is to ask others for their insight on what they see as my client's strengths and challenges. In other words, mustering up the courage to ask Best Friend Joe, Cousin Gloria, and Colleague Bill what they see in them that they don't, can't or won't for themselves. While their responses will be well-intended and helpful, they may not be as open and honest as my client really needs. Usually, the closer the relationship, the more the response will be filtered so as not to hurt feelings or damage relationships. This is, though, a safe way to see new glimpses into themselves they may have overlooked or discounted.

So, where can a brave soul, especially we "solopreneurs" go to get that valuable, objective feedback that may not necessarily be easy on the ears? A Master Mind group of course!! This is the perfect place to go out on a limb and ask for feedback, knowing you will get exactly what you need to move ahead in spite of the fact it may be contrary to your own opinions. I did this recently with a product idea and came away with wonderful feedback, as well as constructive criticism on ways to make it even better. The end result was a much more substantial, easy-to-read, catchy-titled product that came from my efforts and from the trusted advice of my Master Mind group members. So, get out there - ask that tough question you've been holding back on and get ready for some of the best objective advice you can get. Happy Master Minding!

Should a Mastermind Group Be Industry Specific Or Not?

2008-06-18T09:09:00.000-07:00

Guest Contributor: Julia Wert-Marrocco
Julia's Posts - Julia's Blog

Many MasterMind groups are composed of people in the same industry: speakers, authors, real estate brokers,insurance agents, coaches, you name it. These MasterMind Groups are generally formed out of a large industry-specific gathering, (such as a convention). Sometimes they spring up from big organizations because someone with leadership qualities decides they want a small group for accountability, brainstorming, and support. Sometimes people organically get together and create their own group. Sometimes the large organization structures, oversees and/or sponsors the group. This certainly follows the "singleness of purpose" concept written in Napoleon Hill's books. I have facilitated a number of these groups and the results can be phenomenal. When all the members have a deep understanding of the industry, the sharing of ideas can be at a very deep level, and accountability can be intense. I have seen amazing breakthroughs in this kind of group.

On the other hand, a group with a variety of expertise from different industries, can be one of the most exciting groups you will ever experience.

I currently facilitate a group of 12 members, all in different businesses, all with different goals and needs. It meets twice a month on the telephone. It might as well be called the Diversity MasterMind group. The youngest member is 23 and the eldest is 60-something. The group consists of people in banking, show business, politics, real estate, sustainability consulting, physical training, professional speaking, graphic design, sportscasting, music, international development, entrepreneurial investments, you name it. This group is one of the top two best MasterMind groups I have ever been affiliated with over the years. What makes it work is the variety of ideas and thought patterns, and the potpourri of industry experience. There is no getting "stuck" with "what used to work" in this group! It is all about "Have you ever thought of........." and "In our industry we sometimes.........maybe a variation on that would be an idea". This group goes wide with ideas and has no limits.

When you are choosing a group, think about whether you would rather have:

Industry-specific: narrower and deeper.
Or:
Varied industries: wider with no limits.

Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, and Harvey Firestone were not in the same businesses, yet they contributed to each other, and supported each other, thereby going down in history as the greatest men in their field.

There is no rule about which type of group you should be in. It is your choice. Maybe you will choose one of each! The main thing to remember is to be able to contribute and to be willing to receive. Above all, harmony is the nucleus, as Dr. Hill states in "Magic Ladder to Success"

To your MasterMinding success,

Coach Julia

Start a Mastermind-Who Me?

2008-06-17T08:05:00.000-07:00

Guest Contributor: Janet Napora
Janet's Posts - Janet's Blog

Starting a mastermind can seem like a daunting task. For some people it's just a natural progression to help them get from where they are to where they're going. You may think only people who are already successful, outgoing and self confident can start a mastermind.

Here's some news that may surprise you. You are what you think. If you feel you're not smart enough or confident enough or that you don't have anything to contribute that's what people will see.

I know successful people who are shy, not big conversationalists but they can get up in front of hundreds of people to give a speech or seminar and look totally comfortable. I'm often amazed to hear this about them because I'd never think they were like that.

Don't let your own thinking get in your way. Don't let your fear stop you from moving forward. Sometimes you fall on your face. The important thing isn't that you fell but how long it takes to get back up.

When you're looking for people to join your new mastermind, you're looking for like-minded people. People who have goals like you. They may not be as self assured as you think but they're still willing to take action even in the face of failure.

We all have different strengths and weaknesses. You want a group of people that compliment each other. That can learn from each other and support each other through successes and through challenges. You need to know who you're looking for so that you attract the right people.

The only failed mastermind is the one that never gets started. I'm not saying it'll be easy or that it'll happen quickly but it will happen. Be clear about the purpose of your mastermind. The type of people you want to attract. Take action and keep going until you reach your goal. Your mastermind may only be two or three people and that's okay. It's not about how many people are in your group but the quality of people and results. So get going!

Reflecting on Change in the Mastermind Group

2008-06-12T09:33:00.000-07:00

Guest Contributor: Yvonne Mahoney
Yvonne's Posts - Yvonne's Blog

My mastermind group has been in a process of change recently.

One member had simply drifted away and couldn't be contacted and the remaining male was uncomfortable both with what he felt he could bring to the group and about being the only male. This group has been going for about a year now and in many ways feels like its still working at finding itself. So I've been keen to look at how long does it takes for a mastermind group to feel established (how long is a piece of string?) and what elements determine the strength and success of the group.

What's needed for the success of this group?

Similar interests? - Well we are a 'money mastermind group' and while our focus was financial we were mostly on very different paths. It feels like it shouldn't matter as long as we could ask the right questions of each other, support, challenge, encourage and hold each other accountable for what we said we would do. Yet it's a bit of a divide when for example a solicitor and an engineer are trying to understand each other's world.

Similar levels of success? - That clearly is not the case for us as there are many different levels of financial aspirations and success amongst us. What is clear and understood by us however is that financial success is nothing without other aspects of our personal development being in alignment. And that is something of a level playing field.

A shared desire to achieve success? Its extraordinary how capable we are of saying one thing and meaning another! I mean, some of us may intend success at one level but find that we sabotage clearly our efforts. Its as though we are saying to the universe 'Yes I want success' while at the same time negating it in our thoughts and by our actions.

Fear of success can be an disempowering as fear of failure. And of course it sends out mixed messages to the universe. So I'd say a real desire to grow and to strive for your goals was fairly important then to the results people get from the mastermind group.

Awareness of others? Are members willing to really listen to others, make space for them, truely desire to put self aside for a while and go with the experiences that others bring? One member of our group struggled with not being able to bring in personal stories that detracted from the work and time belonging to another member of the group. Its a fine line from being supportive and sharing your expertise in a way that empowers the other person.

Well where that leaves us is that we are now looking for one or two new members to join this group. And what's going to work are people who able to support others, share their experience, talents and skills, have a vision of what they want to achieve and a willingness to strive for it, who will accept support and challenging from others in order to really fan the flames of their own success and who accept the general masterminding principles. It could work beautifully.

Think and Grow Rich

2008-06-10T12:11:00.000-07:00

Guest Contributor: Kayleen Reusser
Kayleen's Posts - Kayleen's Blog

As our Master Mind met yesterday, I was reminded of how small the world is and how nice it is when the ends meet. About 18 months ago, I listened to a speaker in my Toastmasters group talk about the book, Think and Grow Rich. That was my introduction to Napoleon Hill.

Intrigued after hearing the book report (the object of the speech was to use visuals and the speaker held up the book for us), I read Think and Grow Rich and became acquainted with the concept of a Master Mind group.

At that point I had decided to write full-time and thought a Master Mind group would be a good avenue to pursue the goals set forth in the book. I met two women in a writing support group who were also interested in strengthening their career goals.

Since that time, we've met together monthly and each of us has progressed to our satisfaction. My first children's book, a bio of a country music star, comes out this month.

My two Master Mind friends have released products within the past year and are pleased with renewed focus in other aspects of their careers.

It was a pleasure, then, several weeks ago to run into the man who had originally given the book report in my Toastmasters group on Think and Grow Rich. He, an attorney, was speaking to a local seniors' group on wills and estates.

When it appeared he had a few free minutes, I approached him, re-introduced myself since it had been over a year that we had met (he had had to drop out of Toastmasters due to family situation), and told him what an impact his speech had made on my life. I told him it changed my career by introducing me to Napoleon Hill and the concept of Master Mind groups. I thanked him for his speech that night and wished him good luck on his career.

Then it occurred to me that I might interview him for a column I write for our local newspaper. He agreed and the story will be published soon.

His sharing with our Toastmasters group on his discovery of Napoleon Hill resulted in his profile in a local publication.

A couple of clichés come to mind. What goes around comes around. One good turn deserves another.

No matter how you say it, Master Mind groups are a great way to meet people and further your career.

What connective element has your Master Mind group brought to your life? Have you thanked the person(s) that have influenced you through your Master Mind group? Make an effort to do that. You might be surprised at the results.

What is a Mastermind Group?

2008-06-05T11:22:00.000-07:00

Guest Contributor: Anne-Marie-Faiola
Anne-Marie's Posts - Anne-Marie's Blog

The concept of a Mastermind Group was introduced to the world in a formal manner by Napolean Hill, the author of "Think and Grow Rich" in the 1900's. Of course, informally, the concept had other names "Good Ol' Boys Network", "Bible Study Groups," "YWCA," You see, the concept is really about getting like minded people together to work towards their goals collectively. It doesn't have to be about business - it can be about working out, hobbies or stamp collecting - just so long as everyone in it has a like minded interest in pursuing certain set goals. Napolean Hill defined the Mastermind Principle as, "The coordination of knowledge and effort of two or more people, who work toward a definite purpose, in the spirit of harmony. No two minds ever come together without thereby creating a third, invisible intangible force, which may be likened to a third mind." That sounds a whole lot like the biblical passage, "Where two or more are gathered, there am I." Even the ancient Christians understood the power of groups that were focused together on the same thing.

Masterminding is the what happens when two or more individuals get together in the spirit of cooperative harmony to accomplish some goal, activity or result. All the great leaders in the history of the world have used this concept: Jesus had his disciples, Andrew Carnegie had his team to help build the world's largest steel company, Bill Gates has Steve Ballmer and Paul Allen. Who do you have? What support network have you set up to help you meet the goals you've set out for yourself?

The coauthor of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series, Mark Victor Hansen, said: "One plus one, doesn't equal two. It becomes the power of eleven." Something magic happens when two or more people combine their single dream to form a dream team.

The benefits of a Mastermind Group are many. For me, just having a group of people who all own businesses and have similar issues is gratifying. Realizing that there are others out there like me gives me a sense of shared endeavor. But, a Mastermind Group goes much deeper than all of that. You'll get experience and skills by listening to others with slightly different areas of expertise. You will make real, measurable progress in your business and personal life. You'll develop a close repertoire with your new support network. And, if you're thinking of starting a small side business, you'll save yourself a lot of money by bouncing your ideas off this group of people. You'll have a great celebration when you reach milestones; after all, you have your own built in cheerleading squad. And, back to those goals that you made two years ago with Lynn or last year after Jody's speech? You dramatically increase your chances of reaching your goals, as a group of people will assist you brainstorming solutions and action steps. By sharing your goals and results AND getting inspired by the progress made by others in your group, you are motivated by accountability.

So, how do YOU start your own personal dream team?

First, look around you? Have you surrounded yourself by people who inspire you? Individuals who lead lives of distinction? My goal with my three Mastermind Business Groups (yes, I said THREE. I have three Mastermind Business Groups. Two in Seattle and One in Bellingham, Washington). It's not because I'm a big loser and I need tons and tons of help. It's because having a deep well of experience and support to draw from is a key to my success. Thirty year old's don't have multi million dollar, debt free, international, consistently, 10 years and running, profitable businesses. Mine didn't happen by accident. I'm really not all that special or fantastic. I 100% believe that without my Mastermind Groups dragging me, driving me and pushing me to new levels of success that I wouldn't be where I am today. I surround myself with people who are better than me. They're smarter than me. They're more well read. They run bigger businesses. I try and suck up everything they tell like me like a water starved plant.

Starting your Mastermind Group means first, determining a purpose and looking around and seeing if there's anyone in your current circles with a shared common interest to you. It doesn't have to be to rule the world, or to start the next Mrs. Field's Cookies - you can have a Mastermind Group around working out, around cooking healthy, about beating diabetes, about Bible Study - all of mine happen to be business related but yours don't have to be.

Once you have your purpose, the next step is to identify people who would be complementary in your Mastermind Group. If you're starting a group to work on exercise goals, having similar skill levels would be a good idea. After all, if there's 6 tubby, out of shape people and 1 ultra marathoner, either the six people are going drop out because they're so dejected about the entire thing or the 1 ultra marathoner will get drummed out because they have nothing in common. Basic Ground Rules for what you want in your Mastermind Group are essential to making sure that your group will succeed. My Bellingham Mastermind Group has ground rules. One, we have to be women. Two, we have to started our own businesses without help. And Three, we've gotta be scrappy. Gotta be fighters. My Seattle Group? They don't care if you're a man or a woman. They don't care if you started your own business. Their ground rules are that you be under the age of 40, with a business that you own 25% of or more that's grossing over $1million dollars a year. So, for your Mastermind Group, figure out your purpose and then figure out the criteria for joining the group.

Next, establish guidelines. This is pretty easy. How do you want your meetings to go? Do you want them in the evenings? The mornings? Once a week? Once a month? Two hours? Four hours? Will there be snacks? One of my groups meets on the 2nd Tuesday of every month at 7:30 in the morning and the the meeting lasts for 2 and a half hours. There is light breakfast food. Another one meets at 6:00 p.m. on a mostly monthly schedule, whenever we can get our calendars to align. We meet at a restaurant, drink alcohol and those meetings last for four hours. So, your guidelines can be whatever works for you and your group.

Then, figure out what a meeting looks like? What are you going to cover EVERY SINGLE TIME? My Seattle Group has a 5 minute regimented check in and then 2 presentations or problems that the group listens to and then jointly group problem solves. This format works because, the Mastermind Concept is all about using the power of the group's energy to solve bigger than life problems. My Bellingham Group? We have homework, books reports, and a much longer update process that involves talking about our goals and our progress on them. We rarely mastermind about problems but instead focus on getting more success out of our lives. These are two different ways of approaching the same issue of "business." So, your group can customize it however you want but it's important that you have a stated way of running your meetings.

During the period it's important to establish guidelines for how you operate with each other like not putting down other speakers, a solutions-orientation versus a problem-orientation, sharing time so or having a time keeper, confidentiality, and mutual respect. This is probably the most important step as it creates the atmosphere for you to operate in. My Bellingham Group calls this attitude "remaining judgment free," and my Seattle Group doesn't have a name for it but the rule is that you never talk about anyone else in the Mastermind Group without them being present and in that group, you're not allowed to give advice - only experience from your history. Both work equally well and I'm sure yours will too. Just make sure that you don't miss this crucial step. If you do, you run the risk of your group devolving into just a gossipy group of people. Setting the appropriate atmosphere for how you interact with your group members will be the difference between the group's ultimate success or failure.

Finally, figure out who's going to lead? It can rotate, you can dole out tasks or one person can take it all. Just make sure there's a driver.

Phew! I know that sounds like it might be more trouble than its worth. It's not. After all, you didn't make all those goals that Lynn helped you make a few years ago. Where would you be right now if you had achieved even half of those goals? How would your life have changed? You owe it to yourself and your family and your co-workers to dig that list out, figure out a focus, find yourself a peer group and start masterminding your way to success. Hillary Clinton once said, "No one ever became a success without the help of other people." I believe it. You need others to drag you and push you along the path of success.

Leveraging the "Third Mind" for Million Dollar Ideas

2008-06-04T08:32:00.000-07:00

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

We hear a lot about masterminds and why they are important. Between the accountability, creative thinking and eliminating the feelings of isolation that many of us feel as entrepreneurs, a mastermind can be a powerful catalyst for growth leaps.

Napoleon Hill often referenced the idea of the "third mind," that state of creative brainstorming that can only be accessed when two or more people are gathered. What can be born from that "third mind" is the potential for a million dollar idea. A mastermind is typically comprised of people with different experiences, training, business models and ways of solving problems.

When you bring together people with different strengths who have a common purpose, the possibilities are endless.
As a matter of fact, I actually seek out members with varied backgrounds and strengths to add to the power of the group.

One of my first experiences of leveraging the third mind was when one of my mastermind partners suggested a way to monetize a particular idea that had been cycling around in his head for months. Another member jumped in and built onto the first idea. Then another member added their twist. The next thing we knew the idea had morphed into a real money making idea that had a plan, action steps and a solid ROI. If the conversation had taken place between just two people, that same kind of thinking would never have led to this idea.

The partner implemented the idea and jumped from $600k/year to $3 million within 2 1/2 years. That's the value of just ONE GOOD IDEA!

I recently saw this "third mind" in action in my Fast-Track to a 6 & 7 Lifestyle Business Mastermind. One of the members had a business model that she couldn't figure out how to make profitable. She loved what she is doing but just couldn't figure out how to get it to break a consistent 6 figures. She brought an idea of transforming her "one level program" into multiple levels. By accessing the masterminds' "third mind" she arrived at an offering that will take her way over 6 figures in the next three months. Could she have gotten there on her own? Maybe. But she arrived at this plan in 10 minutes versus 10 months.

In my experience, there is nothing that can take the place of a mastermind to create the space for that kind of synergistic co-creative processing that leads to new possibilities. If you are in a mastermind, I hope you are creating that kind of synergy. If not, its time to change and get into a group where that energy is created. If you haven't yet joined a mastermind, you are looking at a massive leap forward if you are willing to access the "third mind."

Enjoy your million dollar ideas!

2008-06-04T07:51:00.000-07:00

Guest Contributor: Chris Barrow
Chris' Posts - Chris' Blog

Having just returned from an 8-day trip to Belgium, Holland and France, it has been interesting to observe the different cultures at work in the business of business-ownership.

In Belgium and France, the culture in dentistry is one of sole-ownership on steroids.

Most of the dentists in these two nations are true lone rangers - working with absolutely no support staff whatsoever and very little contact with each other.

They answer their own phones, manage their own appointment schedules, do their own book-keeping and administration - and throw significant hours of dentistry in there as well!

It appears to be a bizarre lifestyle - with work sessions sometimes beginning at 6.00am, concluding at lunchtime, picking up again late afternoon and continuing into the evening.

The concept of team-building or mastermind grouping of any sort appear alien - and my presentation to this audience was focused on self-marketing to try and increase the flow of new patients - ultimately another job on an already overwhelming “to do” list.

Contrast that with my audience in Holland - much more gregarious and similar to the business models I am used to in the UK.

Teams are in evidence - as is the concept of peer group meetings on both clinical and business related matters.

Here, my presentation was all about effective leadership of teams - and very well received.

Last night in our Leeds hotel - a further comparison as Simon and I enjoy the company of our Breathe Business Club clients over dinner, after a fascinating afternoon listening to their achievements over the last three months and their “shopping lists” for this quarter's meeting.

Although it is dangerous to have favourites - I am especially inspired by this one of our six regional groups - there seems to be a dynamism in this location that may be born from the fact that many of the members knew each other before they came to the group - either in dental school, in their community or through previous work with The Dental Business School - so the ice was broken very early on - and last night Simon and I had a chance to catch up personally for the first time in three weeks - as the clients were galloping away with their own conversations!

Here are the top 10 trends I noticed as we heard feedback around the room yesterday:

1. Our mastermind clients are hiring business managers to work alongside their practice managers;
2. They are redefining "recession" as a period of time in which their marketing plans have to be smarter and faster;
3. Measured expansion is attractive - with selective acquisition as the most favoured route;
4. The hygiene-based assessment business model is looking more attractive by the month;
5. Competition in the market-place is stimulating demand;
6. But it's harder and more important to stay ahead of the competition;
7. Client/patient loyalty must be rewarded;
8. Web attraction is becoming an increasingly essential way to attract new patients;
9. Branding is now more important than design - design follows branding;
10. Membership of a mastermind group is no longer a discretionary investment - it is THE way to ensure continuing confidence and success.

I'm easing myself back into my work routine this week - the change of scenery has been great - and I see nothing but opportunity ahead.

Leverage What You Do Effortlessly

2008-05-28T12:46:00.000-07:00

Guest Contributor: Hueina Su
Hueina's Posts - Hueina's Blog

Last week, I attended a business development training offered by iPEC Coaching for its graduates. At the beginning, Bruce Schneider, the founder of iPEC Coaching, asked how many of us belong to a mastermind group that's dedicated to building our businesses. Surprisingly, very few coaches raised their hands. I myself belong to a coaches mastermind group that meets once a month. We hone our skills as coaches and share resources for building our businesses. It's wonderful to have my mastermind group keeping me motivated and updated on the coaching business.

One of the exercises we did was to identify our key talents and skills in running a successful business. Four key areas were identified: speaking, networking, marketing and sales. These are the four basic skills or areas an entrepreneur needs to be successful.

Next step, we were asked to identify our #1 skill and the one area that we have the most challenge with, and wrote them on our name tags.

We all have at least one or two things that we can do effortlessly. Perhaps you are a great public speaker. Perhaps you are an amazing "connector", a brilliant marketer or a convincing salesperson. Oftentimes we take our gifts and talents for granted, because they come so easily for us. We underestimate our gifts and talents, because we can do them effortlessly. We thought "everyone else" could do just the same. It's often when we hear others' compliments over and over again, that it begins to dawn on us that perhaps we do have some unique skills that others don't possess.

At that training, we were asked to walk around the room and find people with complementary skills. We were to find people we could partner for projects, mastermind groups, or even become business partners. The point is, instead of trying to be everything and do everything ourselves, it's much more effective, not to mention more enjoyable, if we could just focus on doing what we do best, and find someone else to do what we're not so good at. That way, everyone gets to leverage his/her unique gifts and talents, and everyone wins.

So, we were walking around the room looking at everyone's name tags, trying to find those who possess skills we don't have. Soon it was obvious to everyone that we've got a roomful of speakers, and very few salespeople. That didn't come as such a shock to me. Well, think about it, we are all coaches, and most coaches are also speakers. However, it presented a great challenge not to have enough salespeople in the room for us to partner with. We all got the point. Obviously, we all need to reach outside of the coaches community and look for other qualified marketing and sales professionals to complete our mastermind & business teams.

So, this is what I've been working on lately - looking for strategic alliances as well as admin help to complete my team.

How about you? Have you identified your key strengths? Are you leveraging your unique gifts & talents? Do you have your A-Team assembled?

The Power of a Thought

2008-05-21T11:32:00.000-07:00

Guest Contributor: Debbie Lousberg
Debbie's Posts - Debbie's Blog

What brought you to your Master Mind group? The desire to start or develop a business? The intention of meeting new friends and achieving goals together? The need of support of a desired life change?

Whatever the reason, the process of positive change began with you and your conscious decision to make something more from what you had. It all started with the belief that you do have the power to truly transform your life into something that has immense meaning and fulfillment for you, no matter what your age, title, or experience.

That creative power is enormously multiplied when you gather with the like minds of a Master Mind group and support each other in your individual endeavors. The power of your thought about making a change, when coupled with the support of your fellow members, is invaluable.

In the words of Napoleon Hill (1883-1970), American author and creator of the "Philosophy of Achievement" teachings, and the great Master Mind advocate:

"First comes thought; then organization of
that thought into ideas and plans;
then transformation of those plans into reality.
The beginning, as you will observe,
is in your imagination."

The Mastermind Leadership

2008-05-21T09:35:00.000-07:00

Guest Contributor: Janet Napora
Janet's Posts - Janet's Blog

Maintaining a mastermind group is a big responsibility. There are meetings to organize, schedules to make, it can be a challenge. Leaders realize they need a team to be successful. A good leader doesn't let ego get in the way. They're happy to delegate and rely on the support of others on their team.

So how do you find your leaders? You could find people with common goals, similar methods and styles. But do you need to find people like you? Or do you want leaders that compliment each other and bring their own experience and vision.

So where are these people? They could be anywhere. They have varying degrees of experience and success in business and in life. These people don't call themselves leaders. They just do what comes naturally. They help other people. They lead with their heads and their hearts.

Often times all you need to do is pay attention. You will recognize these people. They tend to attract the people around them. In the mastermind we talk about energy. The sense of feeling we all get when we're around certain people.

Just as certain people make us feel down or anxious, there are people who lift us up, make us feel energized. Leaders energize us. We can sense the lack of personal agenda, that genuine interest in helping us. Those people are leaders, even if they don't call themselves leaders.

Whether you're running a mastermind, working a business or are active in your community. Pay attention, listen and learn. No one can do it by themselves and no matter how successful you are there's always something to learn.

Finding the Right Frequency

2008-05-21T08:55:00.000-07:00

Guest Contributor: Michelle Rumney
Michelle's Posts - Michelle's Blog

Recently, we started an experiment regarding the scope of our mastermind group. We are basing much of the content of our weekly meetings around the ideas raised in Napoleon Hill's "Think and Grow Rich". Hill recommends following a 6-step plan of sustained action to achieve your Burning Desire, and so far all of us have failed in our personal attempts to follow this advice.

So, we decided as a group to foster action by adding a weekly Power Morning to our schedule. The principle seems simple enough - each week those of us who can spare a few hours meet up to generously give our time and individual skills to help a specific member of the group to take action towards their personal business goals. The member in question is required to do a little pre-planning on this of course, so that on the day they can confidently direct the rest of us to make best use of our time and energies. The ideal scenario is that we have an action-packed, dynamic morning, creatively and harmoniously drawing on each others' talents propelling us forward on our quests...

However, in practice, it isn't quite working out as we'd all imagined. The first participant overslept (very uncharacteristic of her) and was ruffled and unprepared when the mastermind team arrived at her studio raring to go. The morning was consequently a bit disorganised and much less productive than it could have been, leaving the group feeling a bit flat. The second session was organised and productive, but it was a little unclear to the group exactly what purpose their actions served, so they questioned the value of contributing their precious time. And the third session was ambitious, in that the participant planned everyone's individual tasks down to the letter, except that the tasks more suitable for a week of action rather than a few hours, so the general feeling was of disappointment or frustration of being asked to do too much and not being able to complete what was started.

Although the Power Mornings from the group's point of view are focused on giving generously and gratefully, rather than what we can get out of them, and as such are based on a worthy ethos, my intuition tells me that in this case the Power Mornings will have to go. Meeting up twice a week with the same particular group is, it turns out, a huge time commitment that could turn into a chore rather than something we all look forward to. And becoming more directly involved in each other's businesses changes the dynamics of the actual mastermind session itself - it makes the process more personal and subjective; it risks losing the more objective and constructively-critical viewpoints we started out with that are so valuable when exchanging ideas and coaching members to find solutions and ways forward.

Achieving the right frequency for your group might take a little experimentation to find out what works, but getting the balance right is crucial if the group is to survive and continue to strengthen and develop.

A Business Mastermind

2008-05-15T06:50:00.000-07:00

Guest Contributor: Michael Lipp
Michael's Posts - Michael's Blog

I guess I have a lot to share - something from each of my masterminds - now 3. So, first: The more the merrier. The mastermind calls take no time - four hours every two weeks.
And each group has different people, of course and a different purpose.

I can't decide how to call them - let's go A,B,C

Group A, the longest and most stable. Each of us has a commitment to fulfill a worldwide mission. The structure is essentially: Share and accomplishment, request coaching, hear the coaching and commit to one or more.

I am currently working on coaching professional staffs on workplace relationships. I've authored a book called The Laws of Relationships. I'm trying to figure out how to spread its influence. I had a flash of inspiration, to generate my book into an e-course and market that to other coaches. Because professional staffs are an under served market. So when I had that mastermind only a few minutes later, I didn't ask for coaching.

One of the participants said, I'm incomplete with this. How come you're not chomping at the bit for the coaching this group provides? I was going to blow her off, but she started me really thinking (so much so that I passed it on to other groups.) I saw she had caught me in, “I already know - so I don't need coaching” - a way of thinking that pops up over and over and keeps me stuck. So a great mastermind question - why aren't you chomping at the bit for the coaching?

Group B. One of our weekly group, R, (now grown to 5 people) is a born-again Christian; the other 4 of us are Jewish. R is called to serve people by 'spreading the word' and wonders whether he belongs in our group. This opened up a profound discussion, that lasted 2 sessions. We were all called upon to look at our own spiritual values and our relationship to his strong feelings. We're perfectly content with his contributions. And -if anything - he has altered our pre-existing assumptions.

Group C, the just begun business group. I was hosting and probably will until we have greater stability. What struck me was when one of the members objected to the coaching mindset. He simply said, why don't we each raise an issue and then have suggestions on how to resolve it? Interesting how the vocabulary shifts the context. I have no objections at all to his phraseology. And I agree with him about the implications that 'a coach' is on a higher level than a mere mortal.

More Mastermind Rules

2008-05-14T09:29:00.000-07:00

Guest Contributor: Kelly Smith
Kelly's Posts - Kelly's Blog

In my last post I discussed the importance of rules in a mastermind group. I read somewhere that without rules there is chaos, and I have to say I agree. I mean, we don't always like the rules but let's face it, they are there for a reason. I am a mother of two and also run a private dayhome and I definitely need rules!

So, if you were to set up your own mastermind group or going to join one what are some rules that your group would benefit from to keep it in tact?

I will give you examples through some of the rules one of the mastermind groups I belong to uses. Now, it's my belief that it's much easier to have accountability when you have a group where people are meeting face to face. But online, I find especially for newer people, that they may have more anonymity and have a tendency to not follow the rules the same way they would in person. Our mastermind group chats online through skype groups, web conferences and the phone. The best way I have seen the rules work is with a monitor. We do have a gentleman appointed by everyone who actually monitors the conversations to be sure they are appropriate and safe for everyone. Especially our chat area that's open 24 hours a day, what we call the "virtual water cooler".

We call our monitor the sheriff because he is unbiased and everyone in the group feels they can turn to him when there is a problem or even a question. This can be a tricky thing when appointing someone in this position because it can be a powerful position or detrimental position if not taken seriously. Our group just happens to be very fortunate to have a sheriff who exudes the leadership and trustworthy qualities that makes him the perfect man for the job. If someone does say something out of line, (including the one who originally started the group), he/she is immediately called on it, any inappropriate words or conversations in the chat are deleted and the person will be given a warning and if not stopped, will be removed from the group.

These enforced rules creates a safe haven where people can discuss what's on their mind or brainstorm ideas without being judged or criticized.

The other point of rules is to keep the atmosphere positive within the mastermind group. The outside world can often be a negative place that doesn't influence creativity, entrepreneurialism and other freedoms of the like. The rules will set the tone of a positive and support place for people to go. So, are you catching my drift of what a fantastic influence rules can be in a mastermind group?

Since our mastermind includes people who run businesses from home, another rule is no cross recruiting, sales pitches, spamming, etc.

Inviting new people into the mastermind group - we can all invite people but we must propose each new member to a leaders board to be approved before entering the group.

Those of us on the leaders board are also expected to lead or be part of the trainings. This is a huge benefit to being part of a mastermind group - the trainings. Our particular group is based around online marketing so the leaders use their strengths to help others who may be new to online marketing, wanting to pick up tips or just share their ideas with so they don't feel all alone in the marketplace. It can take a lot of work to run a mastermind group and having all of these leaders working together to help trainings run, monitoring the chats and answering questions when needed helps everything run smoothly.

This rule is another great one, it's orientation. People are required to attend a type of orientation before being active in the group. This is a huge benefit, so that the new people can feel comfortable when first joining and they aren't fumbling around in the dark, so to speak, when they attend trainings. It takes care of the small stuff first so they can get down to the fun part of joining a mastermind group - participation!