From the course: The Ultimate Guide to Professional Networking

How to create a mastermind from scratch

From the course: The Ultimate Guide to Professional Networking

Start my 1-month free trial

How to create a mastermind from scratch

“

- "Meet and Grow Rich" is a phrase that could very well summarize the power of networking, but also perfectly describes the potential power that mastermind groups contribute to the equation. You might recognize the reference because it was Napoleon Hill's book, "Think and Grow Rich" that first popularized the mastermind concept. A mastermind is simply a group of people who gathered to share their mental power. The theory is that bringing many minds together results in a unified mind wisdom that is greater than the sum of the parts. In other words, we are smarter than me. So how can you leverage this for yourself? There are many great mastermind groups run by professionals. These are typically expensive, but in my experience well worth the price of admission. However, master networkers also create their own informal unpaid masterminds. It's really easier than you might imagine. I want to show you the steps to create your own mastermind. First, just sit down and make a list of everyone you think would add value to a small group. Next, reach out to a few of them and ask to have a conversation about your intentions, gauge their interest and ask if they know anyone else who might be a good fit. You can also ask them about other people on your list who you intend to invite. Now, curate your list with your core colleagues and try to pull together about a dozen people to meet for a meal or for a local happy hour. Once you get your first group together, share with them your intention, tell them what you're looking to accomplish with this mastermind. One of the easiest ways to kick off a mastermind meeting is to have each member of the group take turns sharing a little bit about their business. You might give each person five minutes to share what they're doing. Once everyone is introduced, then ask each person to share a hurdle that they're facing right now. Ask the group to address the problem only if they have a clear, concise solution, or if they have someone in mind that they can refer the person to. Make this a ground rule that's clear to everyone before you begin. In less than two hours, you could have million dollar solutions proposed, problems overcome, and a group that now knows it can benefit from each other in profoundly beneficial ways. The final step is the meet every few months and stay connected through a private LinkedIn or Facebook group. Congratulations, you're now the leader of a mastermind and you've expanded your network in both breadth and in depth. Remember, it all begins with a simple list of people you think would be good candidates. Start there and take each succeeding step knowing it will be well worth it.

Contents