No two minds ever come together without thereby creating a third, invisible intangible force, which may be likened to a third mind [the master mind]. – Napoleon Hill

The phrase Mastermind Group (MMG) was first coined by Napoleon Hill in his 1937 book “Think and Grow Rich”. A MMG can be thought of as a peer advisory board that meets with the aim of sharpening the groups personal and business skills so they can achieve optimum outcomes¹. It is not a group coaching session².

The Why?

“You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” — Jim Rohn

The possible result of any situation is the average of all possible outcomes. So if your aim is to become a professional table tennis player, then surround yourself with professional table tennis players. To be successful, surround yourself with and successful people. A MMG is a way of surrounding yourself with like-minded people of similar focuses, ambition and interest. Both Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Edison saw the benefits MMG.

Don’t reinvent the wheel, you are not the first professional table tennis player. A MMG helps you focus, shape ideas, validate ideas and help correct course if needed. While providing inspiration and success stories.

A MMG is a place of unbiased ideas and respectful opinions. Encouragement, inspiration, shared resources and accountability³. It is not a gossip group but focused on your growth and the growth of others in the group through the collective brain. To paraphrase Napoleon Hill, success is planned and earned. The only limitation you have is the one you accept in your own mind.

What is in a name?

A name and description helps set the purpose and make clear the groups aims. Ensuring it is formed around people striving for a common purpose, but not necessarily with common perspectives. Hearing different views helps you see the forest from the trees. It is not always easy to see your own problems they way others do⁴. It is important to have people with similar drive, commitment and be in the same place in business/life so that everyone gets something from the MGG and the input doesn’t become lop sided.

MMG Membership

Pick your group members carefully, as the group will only be as good as the people in it. Try to choose people with different perspective and skill sets, because they will see the world in a different way and provide solutions you may not see³. And only allow new members with the unanimous consent of the group.

Be ready to ask a member to leave the MMG if they are not up to the standard of participation and do it quickly once the poor behaviour becomes clear. A “slacking” member will bring down the energy and fun level of the whole MMG⁵.

Create habits by creating rules

A set of rules will help set expectations for the MMG group, avoid disappointment and provide understanding on their return of investment (time). If someone is not a good fit for the group (i.e. not meeting expectations), than the rules — not followed — make a hard conversation about someone leaving easier.

6 Rules to create habits:

1. Rules are never forever (change as needed).
2. Keep the group at 2 to 5 people. This provides opportunity for all to speak and be listened to.
3. New members may only join the group with unanimous consent and a test in the hot seat.
4. Respect other people’s time. Don’t miss meetings and be on time.
5. What happens in the MMG stays in the MMG. It is a sacred place.
6. Be willing to dissect and be dissected.

Meet Regularly and Precisely

Keep to a regular meeting schedule and ensure all members are punctual. Ensuring that meetings end on time and each member has equal time. Capture what happens at each meeting: lessons and triumphs; goals; items you want to keep each other accountable on.

Assuming a 60 minute meeting, a meeting starts with a 10 minute round table where everyone shares wins they have had — preferable from previous goals. This sets a positive tone for the meeting and gets the blood pumping. Followed by a 40 minute hot seat where one member presents a problem or business idea they are working on and the group provides feed back and advice on how to move forward. To close out the meeting a second 10 minute round table where the MMG share goals for the following period⁴.

Roles and Responsibilities

Each meeting needs three roles, rotated each meeting: 1 - The Facilitator; 2- The Hot Seat; 3 - The Group. Each roles has different responsibilities within the meeting:

The Facilitator:

• Is the person from last weeks hot seat
• Keeps track of time
• Directs the conversation
• Prompts the quiet ones

The Hot Seat

• Presents a problem or issue
• Talks about current or upcoming projects
• Presents a recent finding or discovery
• Asks specific (direct) questions

The Group

• Listens, provides their full attention and respect each persons time
• Shares experiences and resources
• Dissects and investigates further (why? more information)
• Encourages and supports (energize)
• Ask open questions, not closed ones⁶

Tips

9 Tips to for a successful MMG:

1. Be brutally honest. You are not there to be comfortable
2. Share how you are best motivated
3. Dedicate goals meetings (2x per year)
4. Plan ahead when you are in the hot seat (don’t waste other people’s time)
5. Meet in person once a year (fun / fancy)
6. Start a private hub – centeral resources such as meeting notes
7. Follow up and know it’s okay to disagree
8. Make it a priority
9. Create rules

Building a MMG

MMG are typically built through networks and connections. A good way to build your network is to go to environments were you can find like minded people such as seminars, meet ups and industry groups. The more successful you become the easier it is to find people for your MMG⁷.

Footnotes