Is Your Mastermind a Good Brand Match? Ask Yourself These 4 Questions…

Although I knew it was a tad rude, I couldn’t help but scan the room noticing their expression, intensity and presence.

At first glance, you would think they were being made privy to the world’s most valued, treasured secret. That’s how “in it” they all were. Committed to giving their full and undivided attention to the person at the front of the room.

Ten of the smartest, busiest and warmest people sat in this room with the promise to give on another their all; ideas, support, and a kick in the rear if needed. This is the stuff lasting relationships are made of…

My Mastermind experiences haven’t all been this positive.

I’ve sat in groups wondering if I’d need to serve as Life Guard, Den Mother and Spiritual Guide! Honestly, that’s much too much responsibility (and work) for a non-paying gig.

After years of participating in collaborative, let’s forge together masterminds, paying top-dollar to glean an insiders view of success from industry luminaries and simply gathering together with a few like-minded gals over cocktails, I have learned a thing or two about masterminds.

Sure, there are all sorts of books and articles out there giving you a step-by-step guide to starting or running your mastermind but how do you know if a group is the right fit for you?

So today, at the request of a few subscribers who commented on a previous post, I want to reveal my personal checklist for choosing the best mastermind, your “think tank,” to participate in.

See, just as you need to choose your life-mate carefully, you need to choose who you collaborate with, divulge the secrets (or mess!) contained in your office files and bare your soul to with the utmost of care.

About Dovetailing…

Like you, I’m a busy woman. I operate a couple of businesses, need to keep this 40-something body (and mind) in shape, have a busy household, friends, family and organizations that “need” me. So, I like to do what’s called dovetailing. Meaning, whenever possible, I fit multiple objectives (not multiple tasks) into one function.

As a brand and marketing strategist, I perform occasional (and regular) “check-ins” with my audience to make sure I’m still clear on their needs and how I’m delivering on those needs.

Hint: If you’re not doing this in your business, please consider it…the results are priceless.

One of the tactics I use to perform this check-in is to leverage the people that make up my mastermind. Their thoughts, opinions, perspectives and reactions to new products, services or concepts I want to bring to market are invaluable. What I’m leveraging is the power of their point of view.

But if I haven’t chosen the right group the opinions thrust at me don’t carry as much concrete “news I can use” weight and can instead confuse and point a busy gal in the wrong direction.

Here are the questions I ask before agreeing to join a Mastermind group…

#1: What are your objectives?
Get clear on why you’re there. Do you want someone to lean on when times get tough? Are you looking to make specific strides in your business and life? Be very clear what you wish to gain from this experience or risk being very disappointed.

#2: Does your think tank consist of people that best represent your target audience?
I shared my dovetailing strategy with you a moment ago because if the majority members of your Mastermind don’t represent your target audience, their opinions won’t help you forecast the response of your audience. Opinions are great but in business, get and respond to those that carry the most tangible value. This is a leverage tactic…

#3: What level of success have they achieved?
Once, I was invited into a marketing think tank and quickly realized there was no one in that room that could teach me anything! I know that sounds arrogant but it’s true. They all had a burning desire to “learn” about marketing and had zero experience. If my objective was to position myself as a super star, this was the group to be in. However, my objective was to share what I knew and glean new insights and strategies from others. I never went back…

#4: Does their level of integrity match up with yours?
You can be in a room filled with the brightest minds, gurus, wizards, and queens but if their intention and integrity are out of alignment with your brand…run for the hills!

The beauty of Mastermids is that you get to practice one of the most powerful MavHERick™ principles, which is to surround yourself with successful and enlightened people.

Notice I didn’t just say successful? Outer success is a huge plus but if your brand is a brand built on integrity, how the members of your think tank play the inner game is equally as important in creating an environment that supports you, inspires you and serve as the wind beneath your wings.

I’m one lucky gal to have not one but two such groups in my life…how about you?

Until next time…

Love and thanks,
Liz