Using mastermind groups to get what you want
by Laila Beaudoin
On a recent Friday this past March, several Montreal FICQ members met for a roundtable discussion, otherwise known as a mastermind session, chaired by Michel Lavoie, ACC. Those who attended arrived with a specific challenge they were facing in their coaching business, one they were to articulate as succinctly as possible within a specific allotted time. Each participant was given equal time to voice their issue to the entire group, who then addressed it by clarifying it, if needed, and by giving advice and feedback. In short, each member had equal time to explain their issue and the opportunity to benefit from the combined knowledge, accumulated experience and expertise of the group responding to the problem. At the end of the meeting, it was agreed by all that the value of the mastermind approach cannot be understated as a powerful resource for those of us seeking fresh perspectives and progress in meeting challenges we face in our personal and professional lives.
The concept of masterminding is generally viewed as the brain-child of Napoleon Hill, the author of Think and Grow Rich. He defined the mastermind alliance as « Coordination of knowledge and effort, in a spirit of harmony, between two or more people, for the attainment of a definite purpose. » Hill and many uber-successful individuals like T. Harv Eker, Robin Sharma and Bob Proctor are convinced that great power or success is improbable without calling upon the assistance of a team and support group or ‘Master Mind.’ The benefits of the latter are both economic and psychic according to Hill. Economy of time spent in deriving solutions and the obvious premise that two heads are better than one in problem solving explains the enduring success of the model. Hill called the process multiplying brain power. Those of you familiar with Bob Proctor, a writer, coach and contributor to the now famous book, The Secret, may be aware that his coaching program is based on the creation of master-mind groups.
Robin Sharma, author of The Monk who sold his Ferrari and Who will cry when you Die? suggests those who wish to form their own group start by identifying three or four people from whom they can learn and, above all, with whom they get along well. Proctor suggests a group size of two to eight is ideal, and twelve as the maximum group number, mainly due to the time constraints built into the meeting structure. Mastermind alliances build on the premise that all give and take in this relationship, in order for the alliance to be mutually satisfying and successful. While Proctor suggests that groups meet weekly and, preferably in an inspirational, pleasant setting, face-to-face meetings are not obligatory. Tele-conferences and email messages, and faxes can be a substitute for regular group meetings. For maximum effect, meetings are to begin on time, and during the meeting timing is to be carefully monitored to ensure that all participants get equal time and support. Proctor also suggests a roll call and that each participant be assigned a number. The starting number is rotated to ensure a different person each week speaks first.
Encouragement and emotional support are vital elements and structures of the meeting, as often the participants themselves may lack full confidence in achieving their stated desires. Ideally a minute is designated for each person to report on a ‘win for the week,’ a success to share with the group.
Then four minutes or whatever length of time the group decides on, is given to allow the participant to state his/her wants or needs to the group and to receive feedback. One cannot overstate the importance in brevity and clarity in articulating one’s challenge or issue to the group. Clearly, if the problem takes three and a half minutes to be described, this leaves a mere half minute for the group to respond with their advice and feedback. The designated leader for the session calls ‘time up ‘ when the 4 minutes have elapsed, and the next person on the rotation proceeds to then elaborate his/her challenge and receives input during the next 4 minutes; and so on, until each participant has completed the process. If desired and if time is available, a period of time may be allotted at the end for free discussion.
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