3 Secrets of a Super-Charged Mastermind Group

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


Is your mastermind super-charged? Well, if you are growing at the speed of light, feeling challenged to play a bigger game, and thinking of ways to take your business to the next level then yes, you probably have a super-charged mastermind.

But for many people in a mastermind, you might actually feel like Debbie did. Debbie stopped me at a recent event where I was speaking to ask me about my mastermind group. I often will talk about how my own personal mastermind group has challenged me to skyrocket my success. Debbie shared with me that in her mastermind group, she felt stagnant. Often her group, as well meaning as they all were, just went through the motions. Many showed up late to the meetings, didn't have any progress to share and seemed as if they were "on another planet."

Debbie was feeling the pain of a mastermind group in burn out. That happens when people get comfortable and don't feel that challenge to rise to the occasion anymore. I suggested that she "super-charge" her mastermind group.

So what are my 3 secrets to a super-charged mastermind?

First, only allow into the group people who share common values of integrity, connection and win-win outcomes. When your mastermind group hits a lull, it will be the common values that create a foundation to push past the burn out.

Second, have consequences for not showing up, being late, or not accomplishing goals. Human beings are susceptible to the "comfort zone." There has to be something at stake to continue to push past that comfort and continue to grow. Each group member must be aware of the cost of not playing by the rules.

Third, reenergize the group by introducing new players. Sometimes you just have to shake the group up a bit and get fresh bodies (and thinking) into the group.

The bottom line is that your mastermind group needs to stimulate, challenge and inspire you to play a bigger game. If that's not happening, you might need to find a new group.

Mastermind To A "Goal Medal" Life

Ed Sykes had a great post in his blog on how to create a "Goal Medal" Life. The point of his entry is to follow the example of Olympic athletes and create goals for yourself that you work towards and accomplish. His 5 tips are:

• Create Passion with Goal Setting
• Believe in Greatness
• Embrace Challenges
• Don't Ever Give Up!

And my favourite... Create a Mastermind Group

There is a saying, "A wise person learns from his own mistakes, a wiser person learns from other people's mistakes." That is what a mastermind group will do for you. Winning athletes have a mastermind group so that they will make fewer mistakes and take less time achieving their goals. A mastermind group is an assortment of people dedicated to give you the best advice, feedback, training, etc., so that you can achieve your goals faster. The mastermind group also gives you encouragement when needed. In sports, this might be a coach, a trainer, a physical trainer, manager, and agent. In your situation at work, it might be the following:

* A mentor that has intensive corporate knowledge and can maneuver you around "corporate landmines"

* A human resources specialist with thorough knowledge of skills needed for a promotion

* A manager that wants to showcase your skills to impress their manager

*If you are thinking about or have already started a business, it might be the following:

* Lawyer(s)

* Accountant

* Tax expert

* Business associate in non competing field

* Retired executive

* Association leaders

* Customers

Note: Be very careful about whom you allow in your mastermind group. Ask yourself, "Who can help me achieve my goals through skills, knowledge, and honest feedback?" Honest feedback is the key. You don't want "yes" people around you; you want people that will give you positive feedback that will set you back on course for success.