The Power of the Collective: Can a Mastermind be the Key to Your Success?

As a coach I've always loved working one-to-one, with individuals. I'm a depth worker for sure. Whether it's delivering coaching face-to-face or virtually, as I often do now, I love the intimacy, connection and trust that can be created relatively quickly. And the focus and attention to be able dive deep into personal issues, blocks or beliefs - privately, safely and securely.

Fab-u-lous!

It's fair to say that the first mastermind* I signed up to was a complete disaster. I was unsure and on the fence, but I respected the leader and trusted her ability to bring together a like-minded group who I assumed were all ready for some introspection and facilitated breakthroughs, to get us to where we all wanted to go. It started well enough but when we met for our "getting to know you" pre-session alongside afternoon tea and bubbles, I knew I'd made a mistake. To coin Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman; Big. Huge.

I didn't feel the resonance or connection I was hoping for with anyone around the table and when, shortly after the leader of our fledgling group headed off home - just in time to avoid one of the participants having a meltdown (possibly due to the free flowing champagne) and another picking a fight with some random man in the bar - I found myself silently vowing never to sign up to a group program again.

Since then I've given masterminds a wide berth - both in terms of my own self development and in my offerings to others. But when I signed up to be a part of a global community of thousands of women from over 35 countries as part of a year long, experiential coaching, facilitation and leadership training, I figured there might be some women I would gel with, and I could learn to love "the group".

Leadership today, is in a massive period of transformation, especially with practices around Agile and being a servant leader becoming more the norm. The evolution around how we lead others feels a million miles away from the traditional "command and control" masculine approach which is so last decade, but as always, not everyone has yet received the memo or willing and able to move with the times. I've long been conscious about creating a collaborative and open energy with those I work with; but I still struggled to reach out to other leaders, ask for guidance or share my fears, when I really needed some help.

I completely get it when leaders say "it's lonely at the top". I've been there.

But in the last 12+ months that has changed.

I accepted an invitation to be a part of a global mastermind which started with 6, grew to 12 when I joined, and is now capped at 30, with others waiting to join us. Almost overnight I've discovered a network of experts I trust completely and who have helped develop, stretch and support my goals and business further than I would've ever thought possible, in such a short space of time.

They've provided me with warm words of wisdom and real-life, relatable experiences when I've doubted my ability. They offered comfort and support when I was close to the edge or underprepared, practical insights and probing questions to help me pick up the pace when the time was right and just incredible insights, reflections and sponsorship. Collectively, and independently, they've all lead by example and shown me the way when I've needed it the most.

It's not been a one-way street though. Not at all. I've stepped up, supported, advised, mirrored, witnessed and shared my own stories in solidarity. I've deepened my ability to listen for greatness and been able to witness, name and mirror the feelings I saw present in those around me; allowing greater connections, business partnerships and friendships to emerge. I've understood the priceless value of reciprocity, openly sharing resources to encourage trust and connection. I've willingly brainstormed ideas and opportunities, celebrated wins - theirs and mine - and seen, in action, how a rising tide really does lift all boats.

Operating within the masculine system of competition and embracing a "dog eat dog" and "every man for himself" mentality I floundered and eventually burnt out. I felt isolated and alone. But in reconnecting to myself and other female leaders who are letting go of that learnt behaviour, we're embracing something innately more feminine and yet fiercely powerful too. I'm able to experience the strength and joy of being part of a ever-evolving mastermind group, and constantly feel an ever-expanding sense of collaborative energy and team spirit I've so longed to find.

We can't become ourselves by ourselves - Claire Zammit

Together we've all stopped trying to rise within a system that wasn’t built to value feminine principles or even to recognize the importance of feminine qualities; and instead are experiencing a revival of our true feminine essence and instinctive behaviours. We've discovered a way to be that is truly community-oriented; inclusive, intuitive, abundant, compassionate, and empathetic. Collectively we recognise the power of emotional intelligence, the resilience of interconnectedness, and the value of rest and reflection once we've taken inspired action. We show up when we can and step back when we can't, and as long as everyone is aware and communicates accordingly, it seems to work. Simply and with ease.

When we need to take action we call on our healthy masculine essence that is linear, structured and rule-based; direct and analytical these complementing skills assert themselves to create balance, health, and wholeness. But we create from our hearts, not our minds. Opening up to a sense of possibility and deeper wisdom to guide us, rather than trying to figure everything out in our heads.

Sometimes we are all novices on a topic, sometimes experts but we all commit to shared agreements so that we can rise into our potential. There's permission to all be perfectly imperfect as we know without question we all contain brilliance, and our years of lived experience are a given. No-one is expected to know all the answers and no-one has to fake or fudge anything to pretend that they do. It's safe to explore, safe to enquire and safe to fail - so as a result questions come from a place of curiosity and wonder rather than from judgement, with a side of shame or blame. There's a playful energy to the group that hard to fully express.

Writing this down it sounds a bit like a lovely magical fantasy. Not a business practice that gets incredible results.

I'll freely admit that when I first started showing up for calls (we meet online through Zoom) I was skeptical and a little dubious about how, when we were on different continents and different time zones, we would be able to create a feeling of safety and connectivity. But we have and it works! Our calls are non-negotiable in my diary and I truly love the corporate sisters I've found.

Masterminds or group programs may not be for everyone but for me the concept has been a game-changer. It's helped me fall back in love with my work, realise new ways of working at scale and connect with brilliant leading women, all over the globe who are as diverse as they are inclusive.

I'd highly recommend joining a mastermind and in terms of helping you grow or have more impact, I truly believe it's the best way to go.

*A mastermind group is a peer-to-peer mentoring concept used to help members solve their problems with input and advice from the other group members. The concept was coined in 1925 by author Napoleon Hill in his book The Law of Success, and described in more detail in his 1937 book, Think and Grow Rich.

I'm launching a Wellbeing Mentor Mastermind Program in early 2020. There will be a series of pre-launch events for leaders including one on #WorldMentalHealthDay. Learn more here.