We all need people who will give us feedback. That’s how we improve.
– Bill Gates
First things first, some may be wondering what a mastermind group is? A mastermind group is a curated collection of business owners all looking to improve their business acumen and grow by leveraging the feedback, analysis, and experiences of other business owners. The group is facilitated by an experienced moderator typically a business owner themselves to ensure conversations stay focused, generous, actionable, safe and accountability is present.
I couldn’t love this format for growth more and I will tell you why. So many business owners start because of a passion. Some skill, some art form, some widget or service that they knew they could make a living with and that would fill them with purpose. This is the very spirit that I love so much about entrepreneurs and small business owners. They can see it.. like it’s right there! However what happens for many of them is they make it past lift-off, they prove their concept, they experience success but their goals start to look a little different. We made it here… so how do we get there? It’s at this point that their passion-fueled work needs to be met with the business skill and knowledge that they may not have picked up along the way. Now, before I offend someone, please know this is not a knock, this is just real. When you are busy building; every hour, every spare thought is consumed by your passion and the business of making it accessible to the world. However, if you are after world domination (which many are) you are going to need to invest in yourself; because you are what is feeding your business and your teams.
This is where the mastermind group can play such a big role! As both a participant and a facilitator it never ceases to amaze me the power of a community, concentrated efforts, and constructive feedback. I have held an open standing mastermind group for over 4 weeks now in an effort to provide these three things to small business owners in my network that are working through the changes in their businesses due to the covid-crisis. Every week on Monday and Wednesday from 12:00-1:30, I open a zoom call and wait to see who arrives. Typically when hosting mastermind groups we would be working with the same business owners month after month; which is key in creating a format of trust and accountability. However, this offer is just as unique as the state we are currently in.
So, how’s it going? It has been incredible! I have literally seen business owners come in with tight throats and tear-stained cheeks; stricken with fear of the unknown; to then leave with a giggle and a relaunch of a new COVID friendly opportunity; which was sparked by an idea that was floated in the group. I have seen people arrive simply to be surrounded by others in the same boat and find comfort in actually seeing that they aren’t alone. I have seen people become inspired by others in the group to begin their own community service efforts to make a difference.
The choice these amazing entrepreneurs are making is to share space with people they can learn from, people they can support, and to not let these circumstances define them or their business story. While this mighty mastermind group is different then all of the others I will ever facilitate it still proves; that those that choose to make an effort to learn, share, and surround themselves with the same types of people will always move beyond the current soil and grow! – Megan
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