Napoleon Hill coined concept of 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.The old adages still hold true today, "the sum of whole is greater than its parts" and "two heads are better than one". More and more today people in business are harnessing power of mastermind groups to think bigger. Combining power of several minds to solve problems, seek advice, different perspectives and achieve goals, simply creates greater results than "going it alone".
Mastermind groups commit to showing up and contributing to success of each other. They become trusted confidants who rely on each other for priceless insights, candid feedback, valuable ideas, encouragement, inspiration and motivation.
Mastermind Group Types
Essentially, types of groups are as endless as your imagination. Mastermind groups in large companies frequently consist of managers from different divisions, internal client groups who serve each other, or new leaders who want to further their development. Some mastermind groups are industry specific. They can be Financial Planners, Coaches, or Supply Chain Managers who commit to learning from each other. Small business owners often create mastermind groups to develop strategies, share lessons learned and resources.
The Planning Process
The first and most important step in forming a successful mastermind group is planning. Details can be fine-tuned once group is formed, but having a clear picture up front will increase your chances of getting right people first time around. It will also help you communicate with potential members.
What will be group's purpose and objectives? Be sure to think through both "what it is" and "what it is not". For example, a mastermind group is typically not a leads network.