Oops!! There is no fit here

Guest Contributor: Reg Gupton
Reg's Posts - Reg's Blog


A while back my Master Mind Group decided to expand our number. We had been stable for quite some time. A person we met at a networking event found out that we had a group. He indicated that he was interested exploring the benefits. We were open to exploring his joining the group. We hadn't been for a while.

We had previously established a protocol on how to integrate new members. We had brainstormed and discussed the options that we arrived at as a group. We decided the following: The potential member is invited to attend from 2 to 4 meeting while we get acquainted. We each determine if there is a good fit.

Both of us is on probation for these first few meetings. At the first meeting we explain and discuss the expectations and agreements. The potential new member can say that s/he has no interest and we can do the same. Hopefully there are no hard feelings.

The existing members are looking for intellect and clarity of thinking from the new members . We have challenges to solve, opportunities to explore, projects to move forward and we, like all people, need an additional perspective or point of view that we don't already have. We can offer the same things to a new member.

The first potential member began attending meetings. After a minimum of meetings we extended an offer to join the group permanently. It was accepted. We have a great fit. He was bright, thoughtful and brought a new, interesting point of view that we had not experienced before.

Subsequently, a past member referred a friend to us. I did an initial phone interview and invited her to the initial series of meetings as outlined above. The new member attended her first several meetings. She asked great questions. We taught a lot.

No contribution from her. No value added. No clarity of thinking. No perspective that we did not have from an existing member. Not a good fit. Our view is that these meetings contain both problem solving for each person and contributions, too.

This person needed a less sophisticated group or a mentor/coach. We are not set up to do this. Lots of learning needed to take place. We were not in a place to deliver the required teaching.

The person was called and a very gently uninvited. We were very specific about what we thought would be a better course of action for her.

I hope she finds what she needs. I believe she will.

How to choose your Mastermind Group Meeting place and time.

Guest Contributor: Reg Gupton
Reg's Posts - Reg's Blog


Now that you have created a group, invited some like-minded individuals and agreed upon your meeting format, you need to decide on the meeting place and time.

Your selection of meeting place and time is as critical as any other decision that you will make in the formation of your Mastermind Group. It provides the context and a safe environment for the miracle of creativity that will blossom at your periodic meetings. Without the proper space, tools and setting the group will suffer mightily.

Frankly I am surprised to notice the impact that the setting (and tools) have on the process and value of the group. My experience tells me that larger groups function better and seem to require a more formal space. Conference rooms or private meeting rooms in some restaurants can work very well.

When our group was larger, we met in a member's conference room with a whiteboard and flipchart. Better for taking notes, making commitments and enhancing creativity. That worked very, very well.

We have tried almost every possible combination of time and location. We have met in restaurants, homes and offices. We have met in the morning, mid-morning, noon, mid-afternoon and evening. Our meeting time and place has changed as we have learned and to meet the needs of the constantly changing group. Each location and time has its benefits and detriments

For the past several years when my Mastermind Group has been smaller we have chosen to meet for breakfast at a local restaurant. We decided on early so nothing can get in the way. We feel that we are more in control of our time if all we have to do is our morning routine, get in the car and get to the meeting on time. We do not have a whiteboard nor a flipchart. My group is small enough for each of us to take notes make the creative lists described in another post.

We found that any time other than first thing in the morning caused problems as certain members have challenges in being prompt for appointments. They are either late or need to leave early for their next appointment/meeting.

Take this post to your group and allow them to participate in the decision on meeting time and place. You will be pleased with your new group and home.

Brainstorming session

If you read Reg Gupton's recent post on "Secrets to a successful Mastermind Group meeting format" you will notice that one of the key ingredients to his groups is coming up with 21 ideas to solve one of the group member's problems.

I brought this idea up to one of my groups on Thursday and they loved the idea. We're going to be doing a slightly different format where we allot 30 minutes to brainstorming. Since many of the members want an opportunity to brainstorm their problems, we're going to give 2 members 15 minutes each to present a problem and then have the group come up with as many ideas as possible to help solve the problem.

I'm looking forward to an exciting meeting next month and potentially making Reg's suggestions a regular part of our meetings!

Thanks for the great suggestion Reg!

Secrets to a successful Mastermind Group meeting format

Guest Contributor: Reg Gupton
Reg's Posts - Reg's Blog


Once you have decided to create a Mastermind Group, you need a plan for how to conduct your meetings to gain the full power of the synergy of like minds.

The format of my Group meeting has evolved over time. We started with no plan and struggled for some time as you might expect. We didn't know how to use the intellectual power we each believed was in the room. There was no structure. Lots of talking and banter. No solutions.

We put the power of the Group to work to solve the question "what is the best structure our sessions?" We brainstormed, tested and found the plan outlined below works very, very well and has for many years.

The meeting begins with 2-3 minutes per person during which each reports on successes they have had since the last meeting. It gives us a chance to be acknowledged and encouraged as we make progress toward our stated goals.

Then we negotiate for time in the rest of the meeting. Each person brings a challenge if they have one. We simply divide of the remaining meeting time among the members with a question. Not all participants will have things to talk about at each meeting. Some questions have more urgency than others. We learned that we can work with different priorities.

The member with the question moves to the front of the room and writes down their question on a flipchart. We often spend a few minutes making sure that we are focused on the "correct" question. It is surprising how many times we assist by refining/reframing the question. Often the member lacks insight into the nature of their true problem.

It is critical that the question is succinct and properly worded. If we frame the question incorrectly, we will not provide the help that is requested.

Once the question is framed, it is written on the top of a flipchart page. Then the member numbers down the left side from 1 to 21.

We then begin brainstorming, offering solutions to the problem as stated or actions to be taken. The member with the questions only job at this point is to act as a scribe and write the solutions offered. We continue brainstorming until we have completed the full list of 21 solutions.

As you might expect the first dozen or so are too easy. When it gets difficult the creativity really begins. The best solutions generally happen after solution #16 or so. When the contributing members have to really think and dig, the breakthroughs occur.

The person at the board then chooses 2-4 items to complete or work on over the next several days or weeks.

Use this structure for your meetings and watch the productivity soar. I guarantee it.

Choosing participants for your Mastermind Group

Guest Contributor: Reg Gupton
Reg's Posts - Reg's Blog

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.

Mastermind Group Holiday Reminder

The term "Mastermind Group" was first coined by Napoleon Hill in his famous book "Think and Grow Rich." In it he explains it as a group of people who put their thoughts, ideas, and experiences together to create a synergy and compilation of ideas that benefits each individual.

I highly recommend reading "Think and Grow Rich" and came across a valuable suggestion from blogger Reg Gupton:

Read Think and Grow Rich to learn more about the Mastermind principle and many other ground breaking ideas that I have found so useful in my life. While re-reading my copy, dog eared, marked up, I recalled that for years I read this powerful book every year between Christmas and New Years. Every year when I revisited the book I took something new away. The book was the same and I was different. It is now in my reminder system to be re-read every year from now on. You should read it too.

I hope you take the time this holiday season to read the book - and if you've already read it, read it again! I certainly will be.