The concept of the "Master Mind" was formally introduced by Napoleon Hill in his first book "The Law of Success". The book was complied after 20 years of research interviewing the top 500 leaders and wealthiest men in the United States. It has been claimed that the introduction, The Master Mind chapter, was practically written by Alexander Graham Bell. The Law of Success was out of print soon after being first published, reputedly because it revealed the most guarded secrets of the rich and famous, at the time. The book has recently been republished.
One hundred and ten years prior, Benjamin Franklin formed a Junto, a club of twelve of his friends for the mutual improvement of Philadelphia. One of the purposes of the Junto was to exchange knowledge of business affairs. Franklin's Junto met every Friday night for a happy hour and discussion. The members of the Junto came from many walks of life and developed volunteer fire-fighting clubs and a public hospital for Philadelphia.
Fast forward now back to 1937. Napoleon Hill defined the Master Mind as "Coordination of knowledge and effort, in the spirit of harmony, between two or more people, for the attainment of a definite purpose." Regarding forming a group, Hill's only advice is
1) "Ally yourself with a group of as many people as you may need for the creation and carrying out of your plan . . ."
2) "Before forming your 'Master Mind' alliance, decide what advantages, and benefits, you may offer the individual members of your group, in return for their cooperation."
3) "Maintain PERFECT HARMONY (Hill's emphasis) between yourself and every member of your 'Master Mind' group." And finally,
4) "Use discrimination in the selection of your 'Master Mind' group."
If I may be so bold as to augment the above suggestions, 1) limit your group to two to four people. The larger the group, the more difficult it will be to coordinate schedules and stay within the allotted time frame; 2) ensure a high level of trust and commitment within the group. This is a group where macho(a) is out and vulnerability is high. Master Mind groups should not be a chore, but a celebration of ideas and successes with your BFFs.
Do you need a Master Mind group? Probably, especially if you are a solopreneur. Even the Lone Ranger had Tonto. When you are involved in a Master Mind group there is a magic that ignites confidence, inspiration, commitment and accomplishment. There is synergy of energy, dedication, challenge, trust, honesty, respect, compassion and excitement that participants bring to a Master Mind group. A Master Mind group offers a combination of brainstorming, contagious development and spiritual support in a group setting. A Master Mind group is not a class. Nor is it group coaching.
The benefits of a Master Mind group are numerous and you will probably add onto this list:
There are many different ways of conducting a group. There are no leaders. It's a small group. You're all pals. Rule by consensus. The recommended duration is 60-90 minutes, every week. Most meetings are conducted in person. However, many successful meetings are conducted over the phone, conference call style, if necessary. It's your group, do what you want.
The agenda is up to you as well. Take a few minutes to check-in with each other before the meeting formally begins. Respecting everyone's time, start on time and end on time. Keep the meetings on task, centered on the problem solving, goal setting issues at hand. Each participant should be prepared with the following:
1. An announcement of a success they had last week. - One, only one, big or small.
2. A succinctly worded goal or blocking issue in a "How do I . . .?" type question. - You need to spend time on this so you are crystal clear about what you want.
3. To listen carefully and participate fully. - You will get as much as you put in.
4. Be a supporting partner -The power of the Master Mind is in the supportive relationships.
Determine how long you will spend on each round to process and discuss each person's issue. Divide your allotted time by the number of participants. Example: one hour and four people means each round is fifteen minutes each. Each group member will in turn will take the "hot seat" and state their goal or "How do I . . . ?" question.
I recommend a combination of brain-writing and brainstorming. Once the goal or question is out there, everyone, including the person in the hot seat, writes their own ideas for about a minute or two. All those pages of ideas go to the person in the hot seat and discussion and clarification can begin. Try to stay on task and move onto the next round when the time is up. Respecting everyone's time, stay on time; or since it's your group, do what you want. The person in the hot seat now must decide on three action steps to take in the next week. One other person in the group will volunteer to check in with him/her on their progress at week's end.
The most important thing to remember is, "It's your group, do what you want."
Have fun with it.
Learn more about the author, Pete DiSantis.
Reminds me of a couple of ideas - one, the idea from the bible "when two or more are gathered, there I am" (this is a loose paraphrase);
and
in the 12-step groups, individuals work with sponsors and invite the presence of the third (in this case, the higher power) to guide them.
Powerful concepts!
Thanks.
Very old and classic concepts applicable in so many ways.
ciao, P>}
Hi Pete,
This concept can be in a specific area also. Napoleon Hill's definition was for general life and business concepts.
I have facilitated a marketing mastermind where 5 to 8 businesses work on a marketing plan for their business together for 12 sessions. Every two weeks focusing on a different part of the plan. They have to write their plan down so it becomes real.
Each meeting was a mastermind of the process and in the end the businesses had not only written a effective plan but had implemented it in their businesses. Many of these groups met for years after because of the relationships they developed.
Thank you for writing this article because I agree and have truly experienced the value it has when done right.
Thanks again Phil
Phil,
Have you done this marketing mastermind for biznik? I'd be there.
Or do you do it for a fee?
ciao,
P>}
Hi Pete, Great article! Thanks for the backstory about masterminds, and reminding us that they are all about support, cooperation and collective wisdom. Two heads are better than one! Beth
Thank you Beth. Its been around for ages and people have been using some variation of the Master Mind forever.
Having attended the Unity Church a few times in Seattle, I am familiar with this concept and would be interested in a group such as Phil has suggested - one to work on a business plan - especially if the leader was good at helping work thru various bits.
Pete - Would you be interested in starting a 4-8 member group? I too would donate or pay a fee toward a class. Maybe we could do it on a Friday after work when we don't have to get up the next day to go to work... (wink) Keep us posted!
Rita,
I just followed up with Phil. I would be very interested in what he has to offer.
I will follow up.
ciao, P>}
Pete, Great overview of the Master Mind process. I'd be interested in being a part of one in the Raleigh, NC area.
You given some great fodder for thought for anyone doing a brainstorming or any small support group. Thanks for your work to put his together.
Charles On Twitter @ http://twitter.com/CharlesGupton Blog: http://charlesgupton.wordpress.com
Great article and suggestions. Thank you!
This is amazing synchronicity as I have been planning to start my own MasterMind group after hearing about it at a Biznik event. Your outline and suggestions are very helpful. Thank you for sharing.
Pete, I have Ben Franklin & Napolean Hill in my personal library and am familiar with the Mastermind and Junto groups. I have been interested in forming a group of like-minded individuals to try and come up with something special. I'm relatively new to Biznik but have some ideas bouncing around in my brain. Maybe we can grab some coffee and compare notes. This invitation goes out to anyone interested in the creative process. Let me know.
To All
Thank you for your comments and support.
If you would like to start your own private group, I would recommend participating in one or more live or virtual events. Check it out first.
If you still want to continue, find 2-3 of your best pals, or others you trust. I will be happy to mentor your group in the beginning. Then you'll be off and running.
ciao, P>}
Hi Pete, Thanks for adding such history and detail to this topic!
I have found Mastermind Groups to be extremely useful, and I am definitely incorporating a mastermind element in a group coaching program I'm launching.
I had one international mastermind group for trainers that met by phone monthly, there were 6 of us, and the diversity of experience was so helpful!
Later, I was part of a national all-women coaching/mastermind group that was led by a coach, I think we had 7 people. It was billed as a "group coaching" experience, but we followed a similar format to what you describe, and the coach let us all "add our two cents" in. Part of the "mastermind" would happen later via email, as we would think of ideas of resources to help each other out.
I personally like groups of at least 5 or 6, there were more ideas and energy than when we had fewer.
I have also found value in "paid" vs free mastermind groups, and "closed," groups vs open. The quality and experience of the membership increases as the entry bar and commitment level raises, plus, it allows for the development of trust and relationship (not to mention, better advice as we get to know each other's excuses and "stopping places.") Those groups have allowed me to be advised by highly successful and wealthy people, big thinkers who were not likely to be doing "free" networking.
Come to think of it, my first regular mastermind group was nearly 4 years ago, and I am still in touch on some level with everyone in that group!
Hi Pete,
I formed a Mastermind Group with a couple of my trusted colleagues, but I had no idea of the history involved. Thanks for sharing the history as well as your suggestions. I'm going to recommend that we use a couple of your tips to make our group even better.
Thank you! Tia
Kate
The points you made are well taken. Larger groups may be more difficult to manage/schedule. More difficult to get all the input in one hour. Longer sessions are always an option. Staying on task is a management issue, but there is always some less valuable chatter.
With smaller groups you can reach scheduling consensus sooner and stay within an hour time frame. I like to keep the sessions short because everyone has a busy life and some have short attention spans. It cuts the chatter. The energy is high in short frequent (weekly) bursts.
I believe the combo brain-writing and brainstorming gets both the quantity and quality of ideas on the table. Commitment to the group and trust are the two most important elements regardless of size. It's always a balancing act and whatever the group wants rules. I agree about paid sessions as well. There is more "skin" in the game and commitment. Closed private groups are better than drop-in groups for the reason you stated.
My mission at this point is educational. I'm not surprised how many people come to my groups that are totally unfamiliar with MasterMind. So, its baby steps first. I do promote starting their own private group so they can experience continuous improvement with a group of trusted peers.
Thanks for your thoughtful comments.
P>}
Tia
Check out the article on MasterMind on Steroids, if you are so inclined.
Thanks for your comment.
ciao, P>}
Bookmark article
Follow article
Email to a friend
Share 
Bizniks are talking about 
Bizniks are talking about 
