What do King Arthur and Napoleon Hill have in common? They both knew the power of a mastermind group. King Arthur had his round table of knights. Napoleon Hill dedicated his life to learning about the secret to success from the most powerful men of his time. Having a group of advisors you can trust is necessary for all successful business owners and leaders.
Consider the countless times you have used someone as a sounding board for your ideas. When two or more people collaborate with a specific goal in mind, the mastermind process is activated. A third unique consciousness is created by the discussion.
So many times I will be talking with a colleague and new ideas occur because of the conversation. I might have eventually gotten these ideas on my own, but the process is speeded up by discussion and feedback.
The diversity of the group lends power to the mastermind. All members of the group must be committed to a similar goal, whether professional, personal or spiritual. Having a common focus with like minded people is dynamic. Your mindset for success will strengthen from this collaborative process.
The list could go on and on about the benefits of a mastermind group. These are the top five reasons for joining a mastermind group to help you reach your goals.
1.Test ideas with the group before beginning a project
This will save you time and heartache. How often have you thought you knew exactly what your clients need? You begin to implement this idea and then launch the new product or service only to find there is no response. What you thought they needed and what they wanted were two different things.
Being able to bounce your ideas off the group will help you gain insight. When you trust the group and their feedback, you will begin to flush out an idea before going live with a new product saving a lot of time and angst along the way.
2.Accountability
It would be ideal if we were all natural implementers and be accountable to ourselves. That is true for some people, but not for everyone. The truth is you will have increased success for reaching your goal when you know others are counting on you. None of us want to let our peers down. Being part of a group helps to give you that extra nudge and drive to keep on going even when obstacles get in the way of progress.
3.Stepping out of the box
What I have learned from being in a mastermind is how much I just don't know. We all have different experiences about what works and what to avoid. Your mastermind group is your resource. Ask them your questions. You will likely get the direction you need to take the next step. The group is a valuable resource.
I am a big fan of stepping out of the box and doing things differently than everyone else. Be outrageous and have fun with the process. The suggestions I have received from my mastermind group have helped me to create products and services which are uniquely mine. The amazing women in my group have supported me with tapping into my unique purpose in a loving, gentle but honest manner. This priceless guidance has helped me shape my business and maintain a positive mindset. Sometimes you just can't see something yourself because you have always looked at things one way. Receiving insight from others opens up new possibilities as you strive to reach your greatest potential.
4.Stretching yourself
How often in your life do you have the opportunity to connect with people who encourage you to expand your focus? When you are part of a dynamic mastermind group, you will receive support to stretch yourself and reach even bigger goals than you would have envisioned on your own. There will be moments when you are stepping out of your comfort zone as you progress. You might not always know how to do something and realize a leap of faith is required before you can move forward. This is where your mindset might falter. Your mastermind group will give you the encouragement and support you need to take the next step. It is almost as if they are taking that leap of faith with you.
5.Dividing the sorrows and sharing the joys
Let's face it, there will be setbacks. Along the way toward your success challenges will arise and you might not understand where it all went wrong. Instead of allowing you to retreat, your mastermind group will provide the feedback to learn from the experience. With a positive mindset you will receive insight to refine your process. You will also know you are not the only one with challenges. Each of us experience setbacks. This is all part of the learning curve toward the next level of success.
You will achieve milestones. Share your successes and breakthroughs with the group. It is okay to brag. When you succeed, the group benefits and it motivates everyone else to keep moving forward as well. This is the place to allow yourself to shine and not feel self conscious about it. In fact, create a ritual with each mastermind meeting. Set aside a check-in process where you get to brag.
You might be in a different league from King Arthur and Napoleon Hill, but you will benefit from having your own personal board of directors. Your mastermind group will fill this role. All successful leaders have a team of consultants. This association with other like minded people will help you maintain a winning mindset to achieve the next level of your success and beyond.
Activity: There is no one right formula for a mastermind group. It can be as small as two people or as large as you want. Consider your reason for being in a mastermind. List all of the pros and cons. Write your intentions for joining a mastermind.
You can either choose to have a paid group leader or have it be a lay-led group where everyone takes a turn. If you were to be in a mastermind group, what would your goals be? How would you benefit from this type of support system? Determine how often you meet. Will the meetings be face to face, phone or virtual?
About the Author:
And now I would like to invite you to claim your FREE E-course "Tapping into Emotional Freedom" available at: => http://mindsetformarketingsuccess.com
Click here to get everything you need and begin clearing the obstacles to the next level of your success.
From Loren Fogelman, the success expert, founder of Mindset for Marketing Success.
Read more: http://www.articlesnatch.com/Article/5-Important-Reasons-A-Mastermind-Group-Accelerates-Business-Growth/1023365#ixzz0mPoXfJCk
Under Creative Commons License: Attribution No Derivatives
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Master the Power of the Mastermind Group
In a constant effort to do more with less, our world seems to become more frenzied every day. Security issues and national politics change rapidly. We have to know more, be more, and do more than ever before. There seems to be no time for planning future personal or career moves, or thinking creatively about business issues.
One avenue that's working well for many people is a master-mind group. Such a group gives us contacts and resources to make planning and goal setting easier. Such a group helps us stay on course when everything seems to be pulling us in different directions. Master mind groups are spawning all over the country, offering support and specialized knowledge to people in every industry and sector.
A master-mind group consists of people who work together in absolute harmony to achieve diverse goals. The group members come together at regular intervals to brainstorm ideas, share knowledge, and help each other discover the tools to realize their dreams. While these people work well together, they may be very different from each other. The common element is that each draws something from the others, and each contributes freely to the group. It is the focusing of each mind on a common issue that triggers thoughts not readily available to one mind. Those in the group draw upon their unique experiences and specialized knowledge to help each other.
When many minds concentrate on a single point, the activity generates a power over and above the sum total of each of the individual minds. It is as though an invisible force joins the group and provides additional insight. As a result, the group members accomplish more than any one person could have accomplished individually.
Forming a master-mind group is relatively simple, but you need to plan carefully. Below are some tips to keep in mind while forming your group.
1. Choose people who are not like you. People with different perspectives will challenge you and contribute different ideas that you may not have thought of. While your master-mind group participants should be different from you, they should also possess some similar qualities - they should be action-oriented, have a high energy level, and have a strong commitment to follow-through. Search your contact list for only those people who share your values and with whom you'd want to meet regularly.
2. Ensure that group members can benefit from the experience, skills, and specialized knowledge of each other. Each person must have something to contribute to others in the group. This can be a specific talent, leads, or specialized knowledge or skills, such as marketing or organizational skills. Some members may choose to present tips or provide information, while others could contribute something as basic as good will and encouraging words. As a result, each person should be able to gain something from the group. The gain may not always be material. It may be increased self-confidence or "know-how." Ultimately, it may be the realization of a dream.
3. Agree on organizational matters, such as leadership, objectives, decisions on when and where to meet, and an established agenda. Group leadership initially rests with the person forming the group. His or her responsibility is to set the meeting time and place until the group decides on a permanent meeting time and place. Leadership of meetings may then rotate, meaning one person leads the session for a month, then the next month someone else leads. With an established process and ground rules, there is no need for an elected or designated leader.
Take the Initiative
Forming a master-mind group is a powerful way to get ideas and support from others. Take the initiative to start your own master-mind group today. You will soon see the wonderful benefits of contributing and receiving ideas, which will propel you and the entire group to new levels of personal and professional success.
Jo Condrill is the author of "How to Form a Master Mind Group," a downloadable 25-page booklet that provides the details. She is also author of "Take Charge of Your Life: Dare to Pursue Your Dreams" and "101 Ways to Improve Your Communication Skills Instantly." She provides a unique learning experience in leadership, team building, personal development, and success strategies. She has worked in the corporate, government, and non-profit sectors. http://www.goalminds.com/mastermind_groups.html
One avenue that's working well for many people is a master-mind group. Such a group gives us contacts and resources to make planning and goal setting easier. Such a group helps us stay on course when everything seems to be pulling us in different directions. Master mind groups are spawning all over the country, offering support and specialized knowledge to people in every industry and sector.
A master-mind group consists of people who work together in absolute harmony to achieve diverse goals. The group members come together at regular intervals to brainstorm ideas, share knowledge, and help each other discover the tools to realize their dreams. While these people work well together, they may be very different from each other. The common element is that each draws something from the others, and each contributes freely to the group. It is the focusing of each mind on a common issue that triggers thoughts not readily available to one mind. Those in the group draw upon their unique experiences and specialized knowledge to help each other.
When many minds concentrate on a single point, the activity generates a power over and above the sum total of each of the individual minds. It is as though an invisible force joins the group and provides additional insight. As a result, the group members accomplish more than any one person could have accomplished individually.
Forming a master-mind group is relatively simple, but you need to plan carefully. Below are some tips to keep in mind while forming your group.
1. Choose people who are not like you. People with different perspectives will challenge you and contribute different ideas that you may not have thought of. While your master-mind group participants should be different from you, they should also possess some similar qualities - they should be action-oriented, have a high energy level, and have a strong commitment to follow-through. Search your contact list for only those people who share your values and with whom you'd want to meet regularly.
2. Ensure that group members can benefit from the experience, skills, and specialized knowledge of each other. Each person must have something to contribute to others in the group. This can be a specific talent, leads, or specialized knowledge or skills, such as marketing or organizational skills. Some members may choose to present tips or provide information, while others could contribute something as basic as good will and encouraging words. As a result, each person should be able to gain something from the group. The gain may not always be material. It may be increased self-confidence or "know-how." Ultimately, it may be the realization of a dream.
3. Agree on organizational matters, such as leadership, objectives, decisions on when and where to meet, and an established agenda. Group leadership initially rests with the person forming the group. His or her responsibility is to set the meeting time and place until the group decides on a permanent meeting time and place. Leadership of meetings may then rotate, meaning one person leads the session for a month, then the next month someone else leads. With an established process and ground rules, there is no need for an elected or designated leader.
Take the Initiative
Forming a master-mind group is a powerful way to get ideas and support from others. Take the initiative to start your own master-mind group today. You will soon see the wonderful benefits of contributing and receiving ideas, which will propel you and the entire group to new levels of personal and professional success.
Jo Condrill is the author of "How to Form a Master Mind Group," a downloadable 25-page booklet that provides the details. She is also author of "Take Charge of Your Life: Dare to Pursue Your Dreams" and "101 Ways to Improve Your Communication Skills Instantly." She provides a unique learning experience in leadership, team building, personal development, and success strategies. She has worked in the corporate, government, and non-profit sectors. http://www.goalminds.com/mastermind_groups.html
How to Use the Power of the Mastermind
How did the great entrepreneurs of yesterday achieve their goals and dreams?
What helped Andrew Carnegie, Henry Ford and Thomas Edison get the desired
results that they all were looking for? I would like to share the answer to that very
question with you now.
They all achieved their success through the power of the mastermind! Masterminding
by definetion is the collaboration of two or more people thinking in perfect harmony to
achieve a common goal or task. When people mastermind together, the power of the
mastermind group is much greater than each individual's power alone. To compare it
to old mathematic logic, the value of the sum total is greater than the value of the individual
parts!
Andrew Carnegie had his mastermind group that consisted of fifty men, thinking together
to form a plan to manufacture steel. Henry Ford didn't find his success until he met
with Harvey Firestone, Thomas Edison and John Burroughs. All were thought to be great
thinkers of their time. When you look at Presidents, both past and present, you see that
they all have teams of advisors around them and a large staff to help them. Why is this so?
When you mastermind with a well chosen group of people, you can create a solid well
conceived plan to translate your burning desire into your established goal. Through
massive action and great persistence in implementing the plan, you are more than half
way there. When your mastermind group is thinking in perfect harmony, all in the group
will benefit equally! No great success is achieved on your own. The power needed to create
great success is only accummulated through the mastermind. People take on the nature
and habits of the mastermind from the power of thought created by the entire group.
So remember, all great success stories from the past had big help from their mastermind
group. The power of the mastermind is much greater than anyone's thinking alone.
Great success and riches and true wealth can be only accummulated through the use of
the mastermind principle.
Source: http://www.ArticlePros.com/author.php?Norm DeCelles
http://www.newroadtoriches.com
An entrepreneur and business coach educating and training other fellow entrepreneurs to become the best version of themselves. Through great training and massive action anyone can have the lifestyle they've always dreamed of.
http://www.newroadtoriches.com
What helped Andrew Carnegie, Henry Ford and Thomas Edison get the desired
results that they all were looking for? I would like to share the answer to that very
question with you now.
They all achieved their success through the power of the mastermind! Masterminding
by definetion is the collaboration of two or more people thinking in perfect harmony to
achieve a common goal or task. When people mastermind together, the power of the
mastermind group is much greater than each individual's power alone. To compare it
to old mathematic logic, the value of the sum total is greater than the value of the individual
parts!
Andrew Carnegie had his mastermind group that consisted of fifty men, thinking together
to form a plan to manufacture steel. Henry Ford didn't find his success until he met
with Harvey Firestone, Thomas Edison and John Burroughs. All were thought to be great
thinkers of their time. When you look at Presidents, both past and present, you see that
they all have teams of advisors around them and a large staff to help them. Why is this so?
When you mastermind with a well chosen group of people, you can create a solid well
conceived plan to translate your burning desire into your established goal. Through
massive action and great persistence in implementing the plan, you are more than half
way there. When your mastermind group is thinking in perfect harmony, all in the group
will benefit equally! No great success is achieved on your own. The power needed to create
great success is only accummulated through the mastermind. People take on the nature
and habits of the mastermind from the power of thought created by the entire group.
So remember, all great success stories from the past had big help from their mastermind
group. The power of the mastermind is much greater than anyone's thinking alone.
Great success and riches and true wealth can be only accummulated through the use of
the mastermind principle.
Source: http://www.ArticlePros.com/author.php?Norm DeCelles
http://www.newroadtoriches.com
An entrepreneur and business coach educating and training other fellow entrepreneurs to become the best version of themselves. Through great training and massive action anyone can have the lifestyle they've always dreamed of.
http://www.newroadtoriches.com
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Mastermind Group Members - How to Find, Choose and Invite Them to Join Your Group
Once you know the purpose and type of mastermind group you wish to create, it's time to find, choose and invite prospective members. What kind of qualities are you looking for? Start with yourself. Take a good look at what you are bringing to the table, not only in experience and skills, but also values. A well-bonded mastermind group will often stay together for years while growing and evolving.
The following is a list of qualities and traits to refer to as a guideline when deciding who you want to invite into your own group. Use it as a starting point and add your own desired traits.
Creative
Open
Positive
Intuitive
Supportive
Committed
Confident
Generous
Good listener
High integrity
Achievement oriented
Willing to give and receive
Where do you find this wonderful people?
Everywhere. If the purpose for forming your mastermind group is for personal reasons such as pursuing a hobby, weight loss, self-improvement book group or creativity group, start with your friends and neighbors. Even a family member may be a good choice. If you can think of only one person who is a good candidate, start there and put your heads together to find more members.
Draw from people in your work, school, church, fitness club or exercise class, chamber of commerce, Rotary club, and other organizations you belong to. Consider people you see regularly and are friendly with in stores you frequent or other places you go, such as a dog park, farmers' markets or at concerts. If you regularly run into some of the same people, it could be a sign you have similar interests.
Run a classified ad seeking mastermind members in a weekly lifestyle or entertainment paper, local newspaper, area business journal, an organization's newsletter, or online at CraigsList.org or Meetup.com.
If you are open to a long-distance group, members can be located anywhere in the world as long as you can coordinate the meeting time to suit everyone.
Do an Internet search in your area of interest or type of group you have in mind. Check the Yahoo groups.
Ask, ask, ask everybody: " Who do you know that...?"
You want to choose carefully and find the right fit, but don't get stuck over-thinking this process. Often the best members for your group are closer than you think.
How do you screen and invite prospective members?
Now that you have some good prospective members in mind and are convinced the person would be right for your group, contact them by phone, in person, or even by email if far away. Explain the purpose of forming the mastermind, why you think they would be a great addition to the group, and invite them to join you.
This is the first conversation with this person, and you are feeling pretty good but not 100 percent sure yet that you want to issue an invitation. To further qualify this potential member, use some of the following questions. This isn't necessarily an interview or audition, especially from their point of view, so just work them into the conversation gently as questions. If an assessment is something you want to use, feel free to help yourself to any of these statements.
I appreciate the value of brainstorming new ideas with a trusted team.
I am willing to respect the privacy and protect the confidentiality of the group members.
I am open to learning from my peers.
I am willing and able to give as much as I receive.
I am committed to attending all meetings and treating them as a high priority.
I am able and willing to give myself permission to succeed.
I am a person of my word and will take the actions I say I will.
I see myself as a glass-half-full (positive) kind of person.
Next step, set a date for your first meeting and start inviting. If you think some people have agreed to attend the first meeting to check it out first before committing to join for the long haul, then invite more than your ideal size. You can then ask for a firm commitment after everyone has had a taste of what the group is about, what the ground rules are, and decided if it is a good fit for them.
Enjoy the process. If a person doesn't fit for the mastermind group, you still may have made a great new friend or business acquaintance.
Susan Henderson is a coach/consultant/mentor who assists creative entrepreneurs to take that seed of an idea you've been holding close to your heart and sprout it into the business of your dreams. I will guide you through the steps in discovering your purpose and creating a life you can love. One that includes the values that are most important to you-things like independence, flexibility, integrity, and creativity. To find out how, please visit: http://www.susanhenderson.com.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Susan_Henderson
The following is a list of qualities and traits to refer to as a guideline when deciding who you want to invite into your own group. Use it as a starting point and add your own desired traits.
Creative
Open
Positive
Intuitive
Supportive
Committed
Confident
Generous
Good listener
High integrity
Achievement oriented
Willing to give and receive
Where do you find this wonderful people?
Everywhere. If the purpose for forming your mastermind group is for personal reasons such as pursuing a hobby, weight loss, self-improvement book group or creativity group, start with your friends and neighbors. Even a family member may be a good choice. If you can think of only one person who is a good candidate, start there and put your heads together to find more members.
Draw from people in your work, school, church, fitness club or exercise class, chamber of commerce, Rotary club, and other organizations you belong to. Consider people you see regularly and are friendly with in stores you frequent or other places you go, such as a dog park, farmers' markets or at concerts. If you regularly run into some of the same people, it could be a sign you have similar interests.
Run a classified ad seeking mastermind members in a weekly lifestyle or entertainment paper, local newspaper, area business journal, an organization's newsletter, or online at CraigsList.org or Meetup.com.
If you are open to a long-distance group, members can be located anywhere in the world as long as you can coordinate the meeting time to suit everyone.
Do an Internet search in your area of interest or type of group you have in mind. Check the Yahoo groups.
Ask, ask, ask everybody: " Who do you know that...?"
You want to choose carefully and find the right fit, but don't get stuck over-thinking this process. Often the best members for your group are closer than you think.
How do you screen and invite prospective members?
Now that you have some good prospective members in mind and are convinced the person would be right for your group, contact them by phone, in person, or even by email if far away. Explain the purpose of forming the mastermind, why you think they would be a great addition to the group, and invite them to join you.
This is the first conversation with this person, and you are feeling pretty good but not 100 percent sure yet that you want to issue an invitation. To further qualify this potential member, use some of the following questions. This isn't necessarily an interview or audition, especially from their point of view, so just work them into the conversation gently as questions. If an assessment is something you want to use, feel free to help yourself to any of these statements.
I appreciate the value of brainstorming new ideas with a trusted team.
I am willing to respect the privacy and protect the confidentiality of the group members.
I am open to learning from my peers.
I am willing and able to give as much as I receive.
I am committed to attending all meetings and treating them as a high priority.
I am able and willing to give myself permission to succeed.
I am a person of my word and will take the actions I say I will.
I see myself as a glass-half-full (positive) kind of person.
Next step, set a date for your first meeting and start inviting. If you think some people have agreed to attend the first meeting to check it out first before committing to join for the long haul, then invite more than your ideal size. You can then ask for a firm commitment after everyone has had a taste of what the group is about, what the ground rules are, and decided if it is a good fit for them.
Enjoy the process. If a person doesn't fit for the mastermind group, you still may have made a great new friend or business acquaintance.
Susan Henderson is a coach/consultant/mentor who assists creative entrepreneurs to take that seed of an idea you've been holding close to your heart and sprout it into the business of your dreams. I will guide you through the steps in discovering your purpose and creating a life you can love. One that includes the values that are most important to you-things like independence, flexibility, integrity, and creativity. To find out how, please visit: http://www.susanhenderson.com.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Susan_Henderson
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Take Refuge from Negative Influences - Form a Mastermind
Friday, March 19, 2010
Tips for Starting a Mastermind Group
In his book, Think and Grow Rich, Napoleon Hill talked about something called a "mastermind alliance." Hill went on to describe his concept of a mastermind group as, "A friendly alliance with one or more persons who will encourage one another to follow through with both plan and purpose." Today, like-minded professionals come together through a plethora of available mastermind programs to help each other achieve success, thanks in part to Napoleon Hill's original idea.
Note: This two-part article is intended to offer some valuable tips, suggestions and observations for those readers who are planning to start a mastermind group, or seeking to become an active member of a mastermind group in the near future.
Before starting a mastermind group, do your homework. Carefully select the topic(s), and solicit the advice of others who have started similar mastermind programs, so you know what to expect. Attend several group meetings to learn about the differing formats, content, membership requirements, etc. This will assist you in determining the appropriate structure for your mastermind group before proceeding.
Get help with start-up. Karyn Greenstreet, the owner of Passion for Business and The Success Alliance http://thesuccessalliance.com/, is someone you should schedule time with before you start or join a mastermind group. Karyn currently offers a variety of teleclasses and valuable resources on how to start and manage a mastermind group, including a free e-Book, to help you research and successfully start your mastermind program.
Mastermind programs, if properly constructed, require a serious commitment in terms of preparation and planning, personal and professional growth, and active participation. As a group leader, it's important to set aside the time necessary to develop the group's charter, format and content, and the outline for planned meetings, programs and events, well in advance. For the group to be successful, members must also share this same level of commitment through regular attendance at meetings, self-study, professional development and growth, and their support of other members.
The group charter and guidelines should clearly define the purpose of the group, information about scheduled meetings, attendance expectations, group etiquette, member additions and removal, communication and membership fees. Members should know as much as possible about the group's plans and requirements in advance, and what they will gain through their active participation. This clarity, in turn, will help new member candidates make informed decisions as to whether the group is the right fit for their specific need.
Whether you choose an open or closed group format, diversity and the group's dynamics are critical aspects to consider to ensure a rich mastermind experience. You want to create a "buzz" by recruiting business leaders with differing perspectives, business backgrounds, experience levels, and industry profiles. Above all, select business professionals who are passionate about their personal growth and success, and are equally dedicated to helping other group members achieve the same goals.
Prepare for growth and attrition. In the early stages, you should expect a certain amount of attrition to occur for various reasons including time and workload requirements, schedule conflicts, family and health issues, and business changes. Your recruiting efforts, therefore, should be ongoing so you have a backlog of candidates in the event that you lose group members. Also, have a transition plan to help new members quickly get introduced to the selected topics, recommended readings, homework and group exercises, to enable them to contribute from day one, and not feel left out.
Part 2 of this two-part article will focus on several additional areas you will want to emphasize when starting your mastermind group including Communications and Confidentiality, Programs, Activities and Events, and Accountability. In the meantime, please share your thoughts, ideas and experiences on this subject with me.
COPYRIGHT © 2010 John Carroll
http://trescoach.blogspot.com/2010/03/tips-for-starting-mastermind-group-part.html
Note: This two-part article is intended to offer some valuable tips, suggestions and observations for those readers who are planning to start a mastermind group, or seeking to become an active member of a mastermind group in the near future.
Before starting a mastermind group, do your homework. Carefully select the topic(s), and solicit the advice of others who have started similar mastermind programs, so you know what to expect. Attend several group meetings to learn about the differing formats, content, membership requirements, etc. This will assist you in determining the appropriate structure for your mastermind group before proceeding.
Get help with start-up. Karyn Greenstreet, the owner of Passion for Business and The Success Alliance http://thesuccessalliance.com/, is someone you should schedule time with before you start or join a mastermind group. Karyn currently offers a variety of teleclasses and valuable resources on how to start and manage a mastermind group, including a free e-Book, to help you research and successfully start your mastermind program.
Mastermind programs, if properly constructed, require a serious commitment in terms of preparation and planning, personal and professional growth, and active participation. As a group leader, it's important to set aside the time necessary to develop the group's charter, format and content, and the outline for planned meetings, programs and events, well in advance. For the group to be successful, members must also share this same level of commitment through regular attendance at meetings, self-study, professional development and growth, and their support of other members.
The group charter and guidelines should clearly define the purpose of the group, information about scheduled meetings, attendance expectations, group etiquette, member additions and removal, communication and membership fees. Members should know as much as possible about the group's plans and requirements in advance, and what they will gain through their active participation. This clarity, in turn, will help new member candidates make informed decisions as to whether the group is the right fit for their specific need.
Whether you choose an open or closed group format, diversity and the group's dynamics are critical aspects to consider to ensure a rich mastermind experience. You want to create a "buzz" by recruiting business leaders with differing perspectives, business backgrounds, experience levels, and industry profiles. Above all, select business professionals who are passionate about their personal growth and success, and are equally dedicated to helping other group members achieve the same goals.
Prepare for growth and attrition. In the early stages, you should expect a certain amount of attrition to occur for various reasons including time and workload requirements, schedule conflicts, family and health issues, and business changes. Your recruiting efforts, therefore, should be ongoing so you have a backlog of candidates in the event that you lose group members. Also, have a transition plan to help new members quickly get introduced to the selected topics, recommended readings, homework and group exercises, to enable them to contribute from day one, and not feel left out.
Part 2 of this two-part article will focus on several additional areas you will want to emphasize when starting your mastermind group including Communications and Confidentiality, Programs, Activities and Events, and Accountability. In the meantime, please share your thoughts, ideas and experiences on this subject with me.
COPYRIGHT © 2010 John Carroll
http://trescoach.blogspot.com/2010/03/tips-for-starting-mastermind-group-part.html
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Every Leader Should Be Focused on Improvement
Last Sunday, I was asked to organize and lead a presentation on Mastermind groups at a chapter meeting of the National Speakers Association of Ohio in Columbus. There were about 80 people at the session including experienced speakers who have participated in Mastermind groups and new speakers hoping to join one.
A Mastermind group is a select number of people who gather on a regular basis to brainstorm, coach, or give feedback to one another on business practices and products. Most Mastermind groups meet several times a year in person. Others communicate by conference calls. I find the face-to-face meeting the most productive.
The value of this group is the collective wisdom of people whose businesses have similar struggles. By-products of such groups are the friendships, which blossom and deepen. However, it is important to maintain objectivity and commit to giving honest, respectful feedback to gain the most out of these groups. The typical size of a Mastermind group is no more than five to six people so that each person can get an adequate amount of attention.
A key aspect of the best Mastermind groups is accountability. Members must commit to appropriate business goals and attempt progress on those goals between meetings. At the meetings, successes and failures should be discussed and refits designed if necessary. As with every aspect of a Mastermind group, if the accountability structure fails, the group should modify it to be more productive. Experimentation on structure should be a part of every Mastermind group.
I shared with the session participants my business goals and accountability measures that I track on a daily basis such as articles distributed, sales calls made, hours spent writing, presentations made, books sold among others. I have twelve in all. I share them with my Mastermind group every other month and receive feedback on my progress.
Group members must be willing to ask for help and comprehensively share their knowledge and ideas to other group members. Detailed agendas must be developed and owned by all group members and distributed well in advance of Mastermind sessions. It can be helpful to design your next agenda at the end of each meeting.
I recommend that at the first Mastermind group meeting, the participants jointly create a set of expectations and behavioral Ground Rules to guide the actions of individual members. Expectations describe desired outcomes and Ground Rules describe the process of how you interact. Make sure every member agrees on all elements of both documents. If any group member does not accept an element of the documents, modify the agreements to gain consensus. Have them prominently displayed at all meetings and refer to them as needed.
Every leader should be focused on personal, professional, and business improvement. It can be extremely helpful to seek feedback and ideas from other professionals in your field. I recommend that if you are not already in a Mastermind or a similar group, you should seek four or five other people whom you respect and initiate one. You may experience quantum leaps in your outcomes and achievement of lifetime dreams.
R. Glenn Ray, Ph.D., is the president of RayCom Learning. To learn more about Ray's new book Tons of Stone above my head: Coal Mining Stories with Leadership Lessons, visit his Web site www.raycomlearning.com. Everyday Leadership appears each Wednesday on the Business page
http://www.mariettatimes.com/page/content.detail/id/520372.html?nav=5003
A Mastermind group is a select number of people who gather on a regular basis to brainstorm, coach, or give feedback to one another on business practices and products. Most Mastermind groups meet several times a year in person. Others communicate by conference calls. I find the face-to-face meeting the most productive.
The value of this group is the collective wisdom of people whose businesses have similar struggles. By-products of such groups are the friendships, which blossom and deepen. However, it is important to maintain objectivity and commit to giving honest, respectful feedback to gain the most out of these groups. The typical size of a Mastermind group is no more than five to six people so that each person can get an adequate amount of attention.
A key aspect of the best Mastermind groups is accountability. Members must commit to appropriate business goals and attempt progress on those goals between meetings. At the meetings, successes and failures should be discussed and refits designed if necessary. As with every aspect of a Mastermind group, if the accountability structure fails, the group should modify it to be more productive. Experimentation on structure should be a part of every Mastermind group.
I shared with the session participants my business goals and accountability measures that I track on a daily basis such as articles distributed, sales calls made, hours spent writing, presentations made, books sold among others. I have twelve in all. I share them with my Mastermind group every other month and receive feedback on my progress.
Group members must be willing to ask for help and comprehensively share their knowledge and ideas to other group members. Detailed agendas must be developed and owned by all group members and distributed well in advance of Mastermind sessions. It can be helpful to design your next agenda at the end of each meeting.
I recommend that at the first Mastermind group meeting, the participants jointly create a set of expectations and behavioral Ground Rules to guide the actions of individual members. Expectations describe desired outcomes and Ground Rules describe the process of how you interact. Make sure every member agrees on all elements of both documents. If any group member does not accept an element of the documents, modify the agreements to gain consensus. Have them prominently displayed at all meetings and refer to them as needed.
Every leader should be focused on personal, professional, and business improvement. It can be extremely helpful to seek feedback and ideas from other professionals in your field. I recommend that if you are not already in a Mastermind or a similar group, you should seek four or five other people whom you respect and initiate one. You may experience quantum leaps in your outcomes and achievement of lifetime dreams.
R. Glenn Ray, Ph.D., is the president of RayCom Learning. To learn more about Ray's new book Tons of Stone above my head: Coal Mining Stories with Leadership Lessons, visit his Web site www.raycomlearning.com. Everyday Leadership appears each Wednesday on the Business page
http://www.mariettatimes.com/page/content.detail/id/520372.html?nav=5003
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