Top 10 Signs You Are Ready for a Mastermind Group

At some point, your peers, friends, or even business associates have likely referenced or mentioned joining a mastermind group. There’s a high likelihood you’ve seen emails or marketing communications from sites you subscribe to inviting you to join one.

If you are tackling the same types of business or career issues repeatedly and your stuck. You’re approach to every problem, no matter what it is, looks and feels the same. And you are starved for new ideas and a different perspective. A good mastermind group can get you out of your silo of isolation and being too internally focused.

Remember the lofty goals you established that looked pretty on paper, but you haven’t dusted them off since then. Mastermind groups can give you that new motivation or kick in the butt to recommit and get on track. They can spur you on to higher levels of success. They help eliminate that convenient habit of procrastination and remove the off-ramp of complacency.

In their purest form, mastermind groups can be the catalyst for a positive change in growth, direction, and results. They leverage the collective experiences of a group to solve common challenges.  And they inspire individuals to raise their game or level up.

In this blog post, I will share the top 10 signs that signal you might be ready to join a mastermind group.

Mastermind groups provide an opportunity for individuals with similar goals and challenges to come together to find solutions, hold each other accountable, and learn from each other. And they may look and feel different depending on the make-up of the group, the facilitator, or the challenges they are solving. Some focus on brainstorming issues and developing solutions based on the experiences of the group. Others may incorporate some form of coaching or knowledge sharing. But it is designed to be mutually beneficial to all parties, with balanced two-way communication.

Most importantly, all mastermind groups should have these three critical factors in common (stretching goals, achievement, high-level of accountability).

Put simply, it’s when a group of motivated and goal-oriented individuals come together to address common obstacles, while providing input, getting feedback, and offering support. It can be a great space to get exposure to differing perspectives and experiences. And the group is typically led by a credible authority or facilitator.

Like most organizations, a mastermind group is only as effective as the people in it. Which is why most have some type of selection criteria or screening process. The most effective mastermind groups are hand-selected and vetted. Because it is important to choose members wisely.

The purpose isn’t to keep people out or promote exclusivity. It is to ensure that members of the group have shared experiences, related stages of development, and a similar level of commitment.

Ideally, you want to attract high-level thinkers who are eager to collaborate and get out of their comfort zone. Individuals who are raising the bar on their performance, results, and success. You want to join a group of motivated individuals who are self-directed. If any of these are out of balance, you could be joining a group destined to be unproductive, ineffective, and a waste of your time and money.

1. The group should have a clearly defined purpose. Members should have common goals and shared outcomes. Each person should be crystal clear on what they will bring to and get from the broader group.

2. The group should be led by a skilled facilitator, coach, or credible authority who has the breadth & depth of experience on the topics discussed. They need to have strong facilitation skills to effectively manage the flow of discussion and keep it on track. They should be prepared to lead by example. And they should be confident enough to share their own successes, missteps, and experiences with members to build trust and empathy.

3. The group should have a balance between a structured agenda and the free flow of discussion. Topics, prework if applicable, and expectations should be communicated in advance of every meeting, with adequate lead time. There should never be an instance where the time is poorly managed because the group lacks clear direction. The objective is to avoid a “free for all” mentality where the group is veering off into diverging paths and becoming frustrated. The group’s meeting schedule should have a standard cadence, where they are meeting consistently and frequently. The meeting schedule should be published in advance of the group starting, so that prospective members understand the time investment that will required.

4. There should be operating principles that set clear expectations on group dynamics, behavior, and sharing of information. Similar to the meeting schedule, the facilitator or coach should publish these in advance of the first meeting to ensure alignment. Examples of items included may be requirements for meetings, attendance, participation, protection of intellectual property, respect for differing points of view, and confidentiality. It should be a safe space, where privacy is respected, and transparency is required.

5. The group should be a catalyst for change and growth. It’s a place to have others hold your feet to the fire to tackle significant issues and make tangible progress on your goals. With that in mind, there is an expectation of a healthy dose of brainstorming and discussion. But each member should have their moment (or spotlight) to share individual challenges, goals, and success stories.

Regardless as to whether you choose a less formal mastermind or one that is more structured and fast-paced, the key is to know when you are ready to contribute and benefit from one. For example, someone just starting out in their career or business needs to get at least some experience under their belt first.

The sweet spot is having enough experience and mileage that you can provide some perspective and benefit from others. But the key is not floundering for too long and letting that turn into stagnation. And a good mastermind group could be the kick-starter you need.

The signs below will help you determine if you are ready for a mastermind group.  Take a look and see if these resonate with you. Joining a mastermind group could help you make the change needed in your business, career, or organization.

1. You have stagnated professionally or personally.
2. You need a significant mindset, behavior, and action shift.
3. You have been running the same playbook for a long-time with diminishing returns.
4. You are open to new perspectives and points of view.
5. You want exposure to ambitious thought leaders.
6. You want the peer-to-peer feedback, accountability, and support.
7. You are willing to invest in taking your career/business to the next level.
8. You are 100% ready to commit to the time investment and be fully engaged.
9. You are ready to become a success story.
10. You are ready to make this an extraordinary year and exceed your goals.

• Accountability
• Achieve your goals
• Feedback and support
• Motivation and encouragement
• Broaden your perspective
• New insights and solutions
• Expand resources
• Broaden network
• Increase personal and professional growth

Joining a mastermind group signals that you are tired of the status quo.  You are ready for change.  You’ve made a personal commitment to raise the bar on what you expect for yourself, the results you are capable of delivering, and what you can achieve.

So, if you believe you’re ready, take the time to choose the mastermind group that is right for you. And be sure the group you join has similar expectations and goals.

Be willing to commit. Be prepared for the challenge. Get ready for growth.

THE E-SUITE FORUM MASTERMIND
The E-Suite Forum is a select mastermind group offered 2-3 times per year.  It is a game-changer for entrepreneurs seeking to raise the bar on their results, increase their confidence as the CEO of their business, and accelerate revenue growth.  It is for those who want to transform their business.

CAREER ACCELERATOR MASTERMIND
The Career Accelerator is a select mastermind group designed for individuals who are ready to unleash their full potential, achieve high-performer status, and build the success habits of great leaders.

YES, I’M READY!
If you are ready to surpass your goals, click this link to get on the waitlist for our game-changing mastermind groups now!

1. If you are ready to transform your business, accelerate your career, or develop high-performance talent, visit the contact page to schedule a strategy session.

2. To join our community, you can subscribe to the email list, access the “Rule of Three” blog, or listen to the “Rule of Three” podcast. This is where I share insights, strategies, and solutions to help you in your journey.