Napoleon Hill in his book “Think and Grow Rich” described the power of the Mastermind. The mastermind principle is defined as the coordination of knowledge and effort, in a spirit of harmony, between two or more people for the achievement of a definite purpose. A mastermind group can be a powerful way to achieve your definite purpose or goal. I have joined a few mastermind groups each having a specific purpose or goal, where the contribution of the knowledge, experience and united spirit of all members can catapult you to the next level of achievement. Members of a mastermind group will have a common interest where each person is willing to discuss topics openly and contribute knowledge and experience. For example, one of the mastermind groups (Creative Forum) that I belong to meets regularly and has formal and informal agendas for prior preparation and subsequent discussion. The mastermind group is focussed on entrepreneurship and technology; and consists of high profile and successful people at the top of their game. A number of outcomes have emerged from my mastermind group, including sharing knowledge and ideas, creating new start-up businesses, identifying new commercial opportunities, and developing solutions for business and community problems. Some of the most successful people in the world (e.g. Henry Ford, Andrew Carnegie) have relied on their mastermind groups to guide them or provide wisdom and inspiration.
Another example of a mastermind alliance is that of the creative communities that date back to the Renaissance Period. For example, Leonardo da Vinci worked in a master’s studio (Andrea del Verrocchio’s workshop) interacting with like-minded people to learn his trade. The participants within the creative community would share knowledge and technical skills, including drafting, chemistry, metallurgy, metal working, plaster casting, leather working, mechanics and carpentry, as well as the artistic skills of drawing, painting, sculpting and modelling.
The Parisian Salons of the early 1900’s are other examples of creative communities, where people like Ernest Hemingway, Pablo Picasso and Thornton Wilder would get together informally at the Parisian apartments of Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas, to fuel their creative inspiration. You can also locate and join a mastermind group or creative community that focuses on your domain or area of interest. Searching the internet, reading trade journals or popular magazines can identify mastermind groups or creative communities. You can also ask your contacts through your networks if they belong to any mastermind groups or creative communities. If you cannot locate a particular mastermind group or creative community then you might consider forming your own with a group of like-minded individuals.
The mastermind concept can be applied to establishing your personal “Board of Directors” which involves a group of trusted people or mentors who can guide you or coach you in various aspects of your life, including business, career, personal development, financial or health. Many successful people establish their own personal “Board of Directors” by identifying key individuals who can assist them within specific areas of focus. For example, if you need a business mentor or adviser, you need to identify and choose someone who has had considerable success and achievement in business. Finding the right mentor or business coach can have a significant effect on your life. A mentor can teach and guide you through your life journey and can be one of the best ways to achieve personal success. Mentors can also accelerate your learning curve by providing the knowledge to fill the gap of “What you don’t know you don’t know”. For example, a business mentor can provide you with the tools and resources to grow your business or to teach you the strategies and processes (tricks of the trade) for a new business opportunity.
