Great link, Yves. Rep speed + +
Here is the mastermind info I handed out at the B&P GT:
Moving Forward with a Mastermind Group:
1. Establish guidelines for how you operate with each other. ie. no putting down other speakers, bring solutions vs. problems, share time don't dominate, confidentiality, mutual respect etc. This is probably the most important step as it creates the atmosphere for you to operate in. I would keep them simple but clear.
2. Determine a focus for your meeting prior to the meeting. You may pick the topic one meeting, your buddy the next. We have done topics from taxes, to resources we use in our business e.g. printer, photographer etc., to the sales process and evaluating each others' marketing packets. This gets you thinking about what you want to do before you come together. This step made a big difference for us.
3. Start out sharing a success or breakthrough. This can be a personal or business example. This is like a celebration time and sets a wonderful tone. We are also beginning to ask each other if there is an area we need support on so everything is not always focused on the busy, happy, good.
4. Figure out a way so you are all bringing something to contribute. We decided to bring a resource to each meeting to share with the others. It can be an article, a tape, a book. Our commitment is to have six copies so we give them away to each other. We are having some good fun with this one.
Napoleon Hill coined the concept of the mastermind alliance in his classic book Think and Grow Rich. He believed that a group of like-minded, achievement-oriented individuals could dramatically leverage each other's success.
Whether or not you agree with all of Hill's ideas, the mastermind concept has proven itself over time as a valuable resource for people of every profession.
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About a Mastermind Group (from Mark Sanborn):
Several years ago Scott Friedman approached me and six other Denver speakers about forming a local mastermind. Those people included Eric Chester, Mary LoVerde, Melanie Mills, Brian O'Malley and Brenda Abdilla. For fun we called ourselves the Magnificent Seven, but our intent was much more serious.
We wanted a group of fellow-speakers that could share, both personally and professionally, and build into each other's lives to not only grow our respective businesses, but to offer support and encouragement.
The most challenging aspect of our group was finding a date each month when all or most of us were available for a meeting. Scott handled this difficult task with a rule that whoever missed a monthly meeting would have priority in scheduling the next month's meeting. The system worked very well.
We met at Scott's at 9:00 am sharp. There was usually coffee and some fun unhealthy snacks. After settling in for the meeting, we would usually begin with a quick update, the emphasis being on "good news" since we last met. This was a great way to encourage each other and build momentum from our successes.
The next item of business was usually related to a theme or themes for the meeting (working with bureaus, internet, showcases, etc.) We all tried to bring resources to each meeting -- names of exceptional vendors, book recommendations, article reprints and the like).
Time allowing, we would devote 10-15 minutes to each member who needed help with a particular problem or opportunity. Not everyone had a need every meeting, but everyone contributed assistance. Over time the brainstorming and suggestions proved to be one of the most productive and profitable aspects of our association.
Somewhere around noon we would leave Scott's and head for a nearby restaurant to continue our conversations, and more often than not, just enjoy socializing. We were on our way back to our offices or out of town by 1:30 pm at the latest.
While I'd like to be able to offer "4 easy steps" to forming your own mastermind, there aren't any. What I can provide are some guidelines that you can adapt and build on as you pursue a meeting of the minds.
1. Identify speakers with complementary businesses, similar career levels and shared values. The diversity of the group is a strength, and everyone should have something they can bring to the party in the way of expertise. Be careful that there is not too much disparity between experience levels, or the sharing of ideas may not be as relevant. Shared values underpin everything you do as a group.
2. Determine a purpose. There are many different reasons why your mastermind might meet, ranging from lead sharing to being a support group or some mix of different elements. Be very clear on what you're trying to accomplish. The more specific you are, the more productive you'll be.
3. Establish guidelines. Talk about meeting time, length and attendance, and address the soft issues around how you treat each other. Melanie Mills puts it well when she says, "Establish guidelines for how you operate with each other like not putting down other speakers, a solutions-orientation versus a problem-orientation, sharing time so nobody dominates, confidentiality, and mutual respect. This is probably the most important step as it creates the atmosphere for you to operate in. I would keep them simple but clear."
4. Pick a leader. Whether this person holds the position forever or temporarily is less important than the need for someone who will coordinate schedules and meeting locations. Scott Friedman served unselfishly in this capacity for our group.
5. If it stops working, try something different. Recently our group had to deal with some difficult issues around members moving out of state, time commitments and revised
goals. After several years, the nature of the group has changed because what once worked was no longer effective. Don't be afraid to revisit your purposes and
goals frequently to address if adjustments should be made.
Being part of a speaker mastermind has been an incredibly enriching experience, both personally and professionally, for all of us.
Why not form one yourself and see if Napoleon Hill was right?
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-Russ H.
