Masterminds:A powerful professional development strategy.

Masterminds: A powerful professional development strategy.

More and more the business and organizational development literature has highlighted the concept of Mastermind Groups. Originated by author Napoleon Hill over 70 years ago, mastermind groups are intact groups that meet on purpose for a purpose during a defined period of time. Not to be confused with a task force or ad-hoc group, mastermind groups focus the power of peer mentoring for professional learning and growth.

Specifically, mastermind groups are made up a small group of 7 – 10 like-minded individuals that want to spend a defined period of time, usually 6 to 12 weeks (meeting once a week), to focus on a specific area of professional, personal or organizational development. This may include a very deep dive into a leadership book designed to increase capacities, using cross functional knowledge to develop a business strategy, or even gathering resources to address a local community issue.

Mastermind groups can have a designated group facilitator or that role can rotate around the group. The key is that everyone who is invited to join must agree to be faithful in meeting attendance and any assigned tasks. Mastermind groups take many different forms but there always has to be a clearly defined purpose in order for the experience to remain relevant for all members.

Regardless of the group content or focus, the advantages are common including:

• Accountability Partners
• Advice or Problem Solving
• Networking
• Collaboration
• Idea Incubators

I am qualified to lead mastermind groups on some of the most recent and relevant work produced by John Maxwell and his company. This can be done either in person or using technology to keep everyone connected and meeting in real-time. Please access the Out Loud Strategies website below for the Learning Systems offered.

As always, if I can help you Get Better, Be Ready and LEAD OUT LOUD, I would love to hear from you. Also, as a bonus, if you go to my Out Loud Strategies website (www.outloudinc.com) and enter your contact information, I will send you a FREE guide to establishing a mentoring initiative program in your organization! Such an initiative would be critical in order to add value to your organization!

Yours in Leadership,

Bill Faulkner

Co-Founder – Out Loud Strategies

Independent Coach, Speaker, and Trainer with the John Maxwell Team ^TM

Email = bill@outloudinc.com

www.outloudinc.com

www.facebook.com/outloudinc

www.johnmaxwellgroup.com/williamfaulkner