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I’m an Introvert – Can I Be a Good Mastermind Group Facilitator?
January 9, 2012
I get this question all the time. People figure if they’re shy, or if they need to rest after being around a group of people, that they’re not cut out to lead a mastermind group.
I’m happy to admit that I’m an introvert myself, and I’ve been creating an running mastermind groups since 1995. If I can do it, so can you.
Maybe we should first define “introvert,” eh?
Being an introvert doesn’t mean you are shy. What it means is that you draw your strength from your internal self, not other people. While extroverts gain energy by being around people, introverts expend energy by being around people (which means you need a rest break after your mastermind group meetings).
Introverts are strong. They rely on their own internal intelligence to perceive things clearly. They’re great in small groups, like a mastermind group. Even Forbes Magazine says that introverts make great leaders. The best part about being an introvert is that you keep your eyes and ears open to what’s around you, you can absorb and process a lot of input, and you don’t talk unless you have something worthwhile to say. All great traits of a mastermind group facilitator.
Sometimes introverts can appear shy. Actually, introverts prefer to not make idle chatter, which can make them seem shy. But get them talking about something they’re passionate about and you can’t shut them up. I can natter on about masterminding until someone gives up and walks away!
Check out this great article on 10 Myths About Introverts. Then go out and form your mastermind group!
Sharing Success Stories in Your Mastermind Group Meetings
November 30, 2011
In mastermind groups, atmosphere and mindset matter. To helpl set the right tone and atmosphere in mastermind group meetings, I encourage you to start each meeting with a round of Success Stories. These are 1 or 2 minute retelling of something that’s happened to each person since the last meeting that makes them feel successful.
Each person’s definition of “success” is different. For one person, it might be finally cleaning and decluttering their office. For another person, it might be having an important relationship-building conversation with their child. It could be the million dollar sale, or walking three times in the past week.
It doesn’t matter what the actual success story is. What matters is that we bring forward those things that make us feel successful and share them with the group…and that the group hears it and acknowledges it and applauds it. And it helps us to define what success looks like and feels like.
This helps foster a positive mental attitude and helps people look for success in everyday occurrences. And after all, isn’t that what a mastermind group is all about? Helping each other with great ideas, getting into action around those ideas, and feeling successful because of that action.
Setting Yearly Goals: Is Your Group Asking You To Grow?
October 25, 2011
It’s that time of year again…time to start thinking about your goals for next year. Setting yearly goals significantly increases the likelihood of success. But setting the bar too low is a recipe for self-sabotage.
We know in the study of motivation that there is a “growing edge” where people are most likely to accomplish their goals and tasks, and move forward on their dreams. The growing edge is the place in your mind that says two things that are true: that the task is challenging AND the task is do-able; it’s the place of the possibility of the most growth.
Finding the place where the most growth can take place is an important task, even if it’s the most painful place, because it is often the most fertile place as well.
We often resist changes in our life. It is inevitable that resistance and fear will happen. Because this is a holistic model, your growing edge will naturally bring up your fears and your resistance to change. Keep your focus on the vision of possibility while respecting the fears that come up. Making mistakes and taking risks is welcome because it releases creativity and imagination.
When looking for your growing edge, always start with the “truth” of where you really are Now. Do not start with your pathology (what is preventing you from moving forward). Instead, always start with your vision.
Many people have two dreams, two visions: the “big dream” for the distant future (also called the “meta-vision” or all-encompassing dream of how we’d like things in the future), and a vision “in the now” of what can be accomplished today or this week or this month. It’s important to keep both dreams in your mind simultaneously when doing this work, because that is where your passion and energy resides.
Remember, no growing edge is better or worse than another. Each growing edge is unique and people rarely have the exact same growing edge, even if they’re dealing with the same issue.
When you are part of a mastermind group, your mastermind partners should be aware of your growing edge and should hold your feet to the fire. When making plans for the next 12 months of your personal and professional life, make sure that your plans are “challenging but do-able.” And ask your mastermind partners to always, always ask you: Are you on the growing edge?
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