The Breakthrough

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


Our last Mastermind meeting was the best ever - for a reason that we hadn't anticipated.

Previously, Simon and I have arrived for the 36-hour meeting, armed with PowerPoint's and presentation material, designed to entertain, educate and inform our members.

We see ourselves as the "sages", the founders for the group who hold the knowledge.

The group is an opportunity to be up and close and personal with "us" = and to have an insider view of our experience in the market, as applied to the member's individual practices.

It's been "all about us".

Last meeting we changed that - and shifted to what I call "bar stool coaching" - and what I mean by that is that Simon and I sat on bar stools, at the front of the room and simply started the meeting off by asking a simple question:

"How can we help?"

The conversation began on the Monday evening and we ran out of time at 5.00pm on the Tuesday, still in full flow.

The members loved it - we loved it - the feedback was the best ever.

Lesson learned - it was "about them".

Mastermind Group Success Factors

I came across an article by John Carpenter Dealey recently on Factors for Success in Using a MasterMind Group and thought I would share some of the key points with you:

• You should see a group of people who are optimistic and have positive "can-do" attitudes.
  
  
• When participating in a a mastermind group, each member shares information with the others.
  
  
• Mastermind works best when members have different backgrounds, occupations, hobbies, etc.
  
  
• With every mastermind group, you have a leader or a facilitator, who directs the meeting, keeps the group focused and makes sure everything, runs smoothly.
  
  
• Meeting on a regular basis helps keep the lines of communication open.
  
  
• Those who do belong to a mastermind group and use it regularly recognize the true value that comes from developing such a marvelous support group.
  
  
• Actively participating in a mastermind group can make your life even better and more enjoyable for you.
  
  
• With the right people on your team, you can reach your dream. As Walt Disney put it so well: "You can have the most beautiful dream in the world, but it takes people to build it."