Q:  What is a Mastermind group?

A:  A free Board of Directors for your biz.  A group of peers you can go to with your most pressing business concerns.  A support group focused on voicing your most pressing business concerns and then listening to ideas and support you’re your peers, in a loving and supportive environment. 

Effective support groups are a powerful way for people to

- Connect with like-minded persons,

- Get clear about inner and outer goals--and how to approach them,

-  Identify and locate inner and outer weaknesses and addres them non-judmentally,

- Reflect when inner goals and outer behavior do not match.  This signifies a deeper conflict to address.  Effective groups are safe places to explore such issues.

Q:  Why do I need a Mastermind Group?

A:    Mastermind Groups are intimately connected with willingness to learn; and, willingness to be mentored. 

See a three minute video on WHY Mastermind Groups here: 

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/746668/why_should_i_have_a_mastermind_group_to_help_my_business/

Other Benefits

        Unless you already have a Board of Directors or an effective 1:1 mentoring situation, I suggest you start a Mastermind group.  I both have a mentor and enjoy Mastermind Groups. 

Starter facts:

 Groups should be no larger than eight.  They should be no smaller than four due to attendance issues.

They can be persons all in teh same business field; or, in diverse fields. 

Groups historiclaly have been FREE.  This permits dysfunctional groups to die natural deaths, an automatic 'sunset' mechanism.   For-pay groups can also be successful.

Groups can teleconference or in-person.

Watch out for . . .

People who say "yes, but..."  These people may not be as open to coaching and mentoring as they think they are. 

How one person began

        Kirsten Harrell:  You might want to start by asking people you already know and trust to join your group. Then ask new members if they know anyone who would be a good fit. If you are starting from scratch, I recommend that you screen potential new members over the phone or in person to make sure they fit with the overall spirit of your Mastermind group. It is much better to discover a mismatch before accepting the person than to discover this once the group is rolling.

I started a Mastermind group by posting an invitation to join on my blog. I wasn't sure if I would get any responses, so I was delighted when I ended up with 6 wonderful bloggers who were willing to join. All 6 write blogs that I subscribe to and read regularly so I had a good sense that we would all fit well together.

Our group decided to meet monthly via a teleconference call. The calls will be recorded so that each member can replay the meeting anytime they want. We will support each other between calls through email and a private online forum I set up in www.gather.com.

http://www.evancarmichael.com/Mastermind-Group/2007/01/starting-mastermind-group.html

Master Mind – Guidelines and Groundrules

Read in the beginning of the meeting

Courtesy of Dane Stevens at

AnExtraordinaryLife.org

- The goal and vision of this group is to support and inspire each other in pursuing and  fulfilling our highest vision.

- All sharing is ultimately about ourselves only and we choose to take responsibility and ownership for our lives.

- There will be no cross-talking during individual shares.

- All feedback is done in a positive, supportive and productive way that respects and honors the individual and their point of view.

- No advice is to be given during these meetings. Ways of constructive support may begin with: “What if…”; “Is it possible that….”; “Would you be open to…”; or “In my experience…” type of open ended questioning.

- All views expressed are only opinions of the individual and are to be given and taken in that way.

- Everything said in these meetings is shared in confidence, is confidential and is not to be discussed with others outside of the meeting.

- Everyone must share, support and adhere to these guidelines to ensure the safety of the room and everyone in it. Agreed? – Answered with a “yes” , “I’m in” or “Ho”

Master Mind Meeting Format

5 Minutes                         -    Silence

1 Minute                          -    Pray, call in the Light, or an opening reading of the groups choice.

1 minute                          -    Read the MM creed.

2 – 3 minutes ea.             -    Check-ins – How you are doing, where you’re at, set an intention for the meeting if desired.

5 - 8 minutes ea.              -     Individual sharing - Depending on number of people.

4 – 7 minutes ea.             -     Feedback - also dependant on number of people.

1 minute ea.                    -     Set intentions for the week.

5 minutes (if required)    -    Group business

3 minutes                        -     Pray out or closing ceremony

Based on 4 people with 7 minute shares and 7 minutes of feedback equals 87 to 92 min.     

Other useful groundrules & guidelines

        New members will attend two consecutive meetings and will then be voted on at the  next meeting – or in between to ensure a congruency and continued feelings of safety for everyone.

 - A minimum number of meetings per quarter are required for members to stay in the group. *Exceptions can be made and voted on.

 - The meetings are 90 to 120 minutes long and will start on time and end on time out of respect for everyone’s schedules. Times will be separated appropriately for the time allotted

 - A timer will be picked for each meeting.

 - A facilitator will keep the meeting on track – preferably knowing ahead of time –picked in the group business segment of each meeting. The facilitator will change each week, with all members of the group taking their turn at facilitation.

- There will be no eating or smoking during the meetings.

To Learn More

Mastermind Group Resources Blog from

http://www.evancarmichael.com/Mastermind-Group/2007/01/starting-mastermind-group.html