I run mastermind groups for small business owners. My members are not working on projects with each other, they’re working on their own individual businesses. Yet each mastermind group does have common goals about how the group works together and which values the members share when working inside the group.
It’s important for the members to feel like a group, even if they have individual goals and projects. It’s the sense of a shared endeavor that brings mastermind groups together — you’re all working on your individual goals alongside one another. This is where the Mastermind Group Common Values exercise plays a role in solidifying the group.
In this exercise, ask your members to brainstorm about the common values for their group. You can do this exercise whenever a new mastermind group forms or at the beginning of each year.
But don’t share this list with them; keep it as your Facilitator Checklist.
Share one suggestion with them as an example to get them started, then ask them to brainstorm their own set of shared values, including mindset, action and discussion values. This sets the framework for how the members expect to work together.
The goal is to settle upon at least six common values the group shares. If the majority of the members don’t agree on a value, then remove it from the list, even if that goes against your personal beliefs about what values they “should” have! Each group is unique — don’t impose your own values on the group; let them decide which values are truly important to the majority.
Here are 20 suggestions (but keep these to yourself; don’t share the list with your members unless they’re truly stumped and can’t think of any values at all!):
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I’m always interested in group activities. I put this on my list. Thank you!
Karyn,
1. Once the list is created, how do you use it with the group?
2. How often does the list get reviewed and maybe updated?
3. What happens when there’s a new member? Do they simply agree to accept the list or is it reviewed and maybe modified?
4. Who holds members accountable for living by the values?
Hi, Philip,
1. Once the list is created, how do you use it with the group? The *creation* of the list is the most important aspect. It’s an opportunity for all the members to share what they think is crucial about the group’s functioning and behavior. You could then add this list to your group guidelines and share it with new members. We’re not trying to shoehorn members into believing one set of values is more important than another, but instead asking them to agree on a small set of values they feel they can all agree upon. Certainly, there are other values that won’t make it to the list, but are still noteworthy.
2. How often does the list get reviewed and maybe updated? I would do it annually for an ongoing group.
3. What happens when there’s a new member? Do they simply agree to accept the list or is it reviewed and maybe modified? Interesting question! Let’s say you do this exercise every January. If a new member begins in February, I would just give them the list, and explain how it was generated. Ask them if they would add anything to the list, but just out of curiosity. You can’t be asking members to brainstorm and update the list whenever a new member joins! You might want to wait with a new member and ask them about added values a few months after they join…give them some time to experience the group first.
4. Who holds members accountable for living by the values? The entire group does. This is a shared endeavor. If you have a shared value about showing up on time, then any member can remark on someone who is consistently late. If the problem is deeper, like a member who doesn’t take action, they might need a one-on-one coaching session with you to figure out what’s going on.