I belong to two Mastermind groups. They're both new - less than 2 months old - so my writing is really a work in progress.
One of the groups has seven of us in it. We have very quickly created ground rules, structure, rotating leaders, etc. Totally on purpose and immediately functioning. Not only that, we seem to have instant respect and mutual trust. All of us have a common training, though completely varied backgrounds. We are all graduates of Landmark Education's senior course, Power & Contribution, and each of us has a huge commitment that we're using the group to propel forward. One thing I've already gotten is that after 8 years as a professional coach, I've finally defined a niche for myself, something I always resisted. This is reflected in my new signature line ( Partnering Professionals to lives of joyous satisfaction.) Five of the seven are in Canada and we speak every two weeks. Our hardest problem is finding meeting times.
The other group is completely different. The four of us are still scrambling to define a structure. We have completely merged on a spiritual level. So far we have talked haphazardly, but have come to know one another in deep ways. We've finally decided to come to each session with a project and an issue that the rest can support us with. We speak weekly. One of us is in Maryland, the other 3 in New Jersey, but close to two hours apart.
I love both groups and anticipate marvelous results for all.
You have your mastermind, like minded members working towards similar goals. Plans are put in place and input from different people is encouraged. Even when a group of people have similar goals, opinions can always differ. We all have different perspectives. We've all had different experiences which shape our thought process.
Frequently we look at things from our own perspective. We are by nature a sum of our parts, our own experiences and lessons learned. Sometimes we try to look at things from someone else's perspective but still manage to color our thinking with our own experiences.
Often times we do this sub-consciously. It isn't that we're unable to understand or are trying to be difficult. Sometimes we just can't help it, especially if it's something we're passionate about. So how does this affect the Mastermind? It can create disharmony or sometimes chaos. Disharmony and chaos are best dealt with before it starts.
Every Mastermind should have some kind of structure or guidelines. Handling disagreements should be dealt with from the beginning. No matter how proficient the Mastermind group, not all situations may be resolved easily. Have a system to handle these delicate situations before it has a chance to permeate the group with negative energy.
We've all heard the saying "walk a mile in someone else's shoes". The problem is we sometimes have difficult imagining what "that" must have been like ("that" can be any experience you haven't gone through). That experience could be business related or personal. Both kinds of experiences shape who we are.
Ultimately the best situation would be for everyone to listen not only with their head but also with their hearts. Some people do this more easily than others. If you're in a Mastermind group you're already one step ahead.
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.
EvanCarmichael.com is the world's #1 website for small business motivation and strategies. Evan also runs a series of successful Mastermind Groups in Toronto for entrepreneurs.
Guest Contributor: Michael Lipp
