One of the most difficult aspects of living your personal brand is knowing if you are on track. Having gone to the trouble of clearly identifying your brand and then agonized over a clear message you are in immediate danger of stumbling and doing damage to your brand by not continuing to gather feedback.
But you are not going to be able to keep going to a group of clients or peers or employees and ask for that input – they will reach a point when they say enough!
This is where the concept of a mastermind group can prove invaluable.
The whole idea of masterminding is not a new one, Napoleon Hill is credited with the concept almost a century ago. Simply put it is an opportunity to meet on a regular basis with some like minded people and get support and input on what is challenging you.
As more work environments become global or remote there is less interaction on a regular basis and therefore less chance to know if what you are doing is on brand or off.
Set one of your intentions in 2010 to be in a mastermind setting.
- Set out what you would like the mastermind group to achieve.
- Identify who you would like to have in your group (5- 6 people is ideal).
- Invite those people and enroll them in your group.
- Determine a regular meeting day and time (can be phone or in person, usually weekly).
- Agree on a meeting agenda and commitments of the group regarding attendance etc.
If you believe in the benefits of regular input and support then the mastermind process could be one of best things you do for yourself next year.
Have you been in a mastermind group or do you intend to start one? – tell me in the comments section of the blog.
I was part of a Mastermind Group earlier this year. Out of a group of six three of us were one to two years down the road. Two were relative new start ups and the sixth member was just getting started. Unfortunately she hijacked the group turning it into a 60 minute session about her and her plans. Three members dropped out after the second session.
We did put systems in place to restrict her over running but she continually interrupted others time to add a comment and turn it round to her business.
My advice would be make sure you have all been established for around the same amount of time. Consider joining a paid Mastermind Group or have a strict facilitator.
One takeaway for me was it confirmed my preference for working one to one rather than in a group.
Liz – Thanks for taking the time to comment on
my blog. I have been in a similar position, the member just took everyones ideas
and then presented them as her next move in her business! This is where the
strength of the group can come in to play (but usually only when they have been
together a while and feel comfortable challenging each other) – bottom line
would be to ask the person to change or leave the group.
I know where you are coming
from preferring 1:1, but sometimes the group does offer a different perspective. Some groups I know offer a mix , but
it is a paid offering and the facilitator
is the coach for 1:1.
I’ve been in a mastermind group for going on 8 years. We are a group of five and we meet regularly. We set ground rules at the start and thankfully we have some very good “time” masters who make sure everyone has a chance to speak. Paul – your “comment” illustrates something else that is very important in a Mastermind group – TRUST! Without trust, a Mastermind group is a waste of time. Individually we have been through the ups and downs of starting and building our businesses, and family deaths and illnesses, and we have been able to count on the support and a “reality” check from the group. We are still going strong after all these years!