Have an extra seat in your mastermind group that you’d like to fill?

Here are some things to consider when bringing in a new mastermind group member to an existing group.

When you have an already-formed mastermind group who has been working together and bonding with each other for a long time, bringing in a new member can be a challenge — and a breath of fresh air. Here’s what to consider:

1. Mastermind groups are essentially democracies, so the first task is to vote on whether to bring in a new member to fill an empty seat, or just leave the seat empty. It’s important for the group to discuss the pros and cons, and come to consensus about what’s right for the group.
2. Decide what type of personality traits, skill levels, etc. you want in the new person. What will be a good match with existing members? (Remember, having opposite personality types is often a good thing, sparking creative thinking and a different world view.)
3. See if any existing members have someone they’d like to invite to apply for the seat. It’s important to discuss that bringing in a close friend may create a clique that makes others feel excluded, so ask people if they feel that their friendship with the new person might interrupt their connection to the other mastermind group members.
4. If no one in the group has a name to throw into the ring, advertise that you have a seat available through your normal mastermind marketing channels.
5. Ask the prospective members to fill out an application and/or conduct a phone interview with them.
6. Consider having “finalists” come to a mastermind group meeting to get a taste for how the group works and to see if there is a synergy between the new person and the group.
7. After the group meets the new person, have them vote in private whether this new person is a good fit for the group or not. This will empower the group and makes them accountable for bringing in a new person and taking them under the group’s wing.

I suggest you never let your mastermind group get below 4 people. Remember, many minds create good masterminding!