How do I start and run a mastermind group?

Need some help achieving your goals?

Why not start a mastermind group?

A mastermind group is team of like-minded people who support each other in achieving their goals. All participants grow beyond themselves by challenging each other and brainstorming ideas to help each other out.

A mastermind group can help you see possibilities you've never thought about before. It holds a mirror in front of you and shows you things you might not be able to perceive on your own.

Group size

The optimal group size depends on the participants and their discipline. In larger groups, a few more ideas and solutions usually emerge.

A size of 3-5 members should be perfect — especially in the beginning.

Time

The interval between meetings shouldn't be too long, otherwise the commitment will be lost quickly.

The duration of the meetings should be 60-90 minutes. It is usually not possible to work in a really concentrated way for much longer. The hardest thing is to find a time when everyone can attend.

Place

Nothing can replace the atmosphere of a meeting in one place. On the other hand, video conferencing allows people from different places and even countries to meet. This can enable a broad and interesting horizon for everyone.

• At the first meeting, you should establish a rough guideline for how each session should proceed. 

• It's best to choose a group leader (this can also change for each meeting) who will take care of the schedule and lead the discussions. 

• Discuss what goals each person is pursuing.

• How the individual meetings proceed thereafter depends on your mastermind group.

A) One participant briefly tells the group about their greatest challenge and greatest opportunity. The group brainstorms ways to support that member.

OR

B) Set a specific topic for each meeting and discuss how the topic relates to each member's personal goals.

At the beginning of each meeting, each member could also take turns for a minute to talk about a success since the last session. This sets a positive and constructive framework for the rest of the time.

The mastermind group should not only consist of people who are like you. The diversity of participants is the strength of the mastermind group.

Participants should have the following in common:

• High motivation to achieve their goals

• Approximately the same goals as other participants

• Reliability and punctuality

• Willingness to ask for help and share ideas

• Willingness to change

Organizing the meetings yourself can also be your ticket to forming a mastermind group with highly successful people and benefiting from their presence.

You can organize the planning and coordination, while the others offer their knowledge and experience.

Get started!