Tips on setting up a Mastermind or Mens Group

The ones I’ve been a part of over the years have helped me no end and everyone in the groups got all they hoped for and more.

Masterminds are not new, they may well be one of the oldest human activities.

It’s essential that:

• all members are clear about the purpose of the group
• it’s made up of the right people
• you intensively vet all members beforehand, as one bad person can not only ruin the group, but deter first timers from ever joining another group and that would be tragic.
• the group members all have something in common. (Could be anything really, but this step is essential)
• you agree on a time and day that stays the same every week and you must make this clear in your invitation. This stops you wasting time speaking to people who won’t be able to make it anyway.
• the size of the group be no smaller than 5 and no bigger than 12 members (some always drop out for various reasons and if you start with 5 and 4 leave in the first few months as sometimes happens, then you are right back where you started, and adding new members to an established group can be very problematic).
• a clear and purposeful structure is used at every meeting to ensure everyone gets their time and attention(otherwise the loudest person always takes over and the quietest ones stop turning up at a dear cost to the whole group)
• the group creates a safe space where members can speak truthfully and be vulnerable when necessary (and it will be necessary and quite often, if you’ve set it up well)
• a zero abuse policy is implemented and adhered to
• everyone knows it’s their group, no one member owns the group, not even if they set it up
• every member takes equal turns in organising, running and time keeping the meetings and sits out on some parts of those meetings (unless the group is very small, say 5 members)

Also:

• Feedback needs to be given in a blunt but caring way. Members won’t mind very honest feedback if its done with that persons best interest in mind. Even if it’s something they didn’t really want to hear, admit to or think about.
• Mixed sex groups are challenging, as men won’t be open to receiving honest feedback or to opening up about their personal or business challenges in the presence of women.
• Make sure there’s a clearly stated end date for applications (or the option for a separate second group) as you don’t want someone to apply once the group is already well established and have them miss out on the life changing benefits or to be put off of these groups for good.
• Rituals are very important, they can be anything you all agree upon, but are essential to signal the start, the end and any transitions within the meeting
• Meeting duration needs to be agreed upon up front and then divided up first between the parts of the meeting and then between the numbers of members present. Some flexibility is possible here. eg: if only one member wants feedback on a certain thing this week then they can either have the entire time allotted or another part of the meeting can be expanded. This has to be unique to each group and must remain flexible.
• Every member must commit to attending every meeting (major exceptions allowed) and must make it one of their highest priorities. This honours the group and if anyone being selected won’t commit to this, then trust me, you don’t want to be a group with them anyway.
• Meeting every week is ok but meeting for 3 weeks out of every 4 seems to work best and gives members the space in their month to 100% commit to consistently attending the other 3 meetings.

All of the above needs to be made clear and agreed to by all members beforehand and openly at the beginning of each meeting.

These are the basics, but there will be several other essential factors required based on the specific aims of each group to give it the best chance of success.

One thing to bear in mind here is that each group should have members of different levels of experience or personal growth. It’s no good having all members on a level par. Ideally each person should be in 2 groups, one where they receive more benefits than they give and one where they give more than they receive. Otherwise an imbalance occurs and some will feel they only give and others only take.

I hope this helps you in your goals.

Aaron. :-)