Mastermind Association Certification
Hosting and Facilitating
Hosting and Facilitating a Mastermind
The Mastermind Association course provides a format for up to 12 members who will engage in the free-flow of energy, thoughts, and ideas. The Host is charged with the responsibility of maintaining order during the meeting and ensuring that every member has the opportunity to ask questions, offer ideas, suggestions, and criticism, and that all members have equal time and opportunity to present their problems and challenges in the Opportunity Chair.
How to host and facilitate a Mastermind group
Every mastermind session will follow a structured format consisting of:
a. Part 1: The Conscious Conversation- Here, the focus is on discussing a common challenge that the Host or group selects as a whole, for 15 minutes. This helps the members put aside their own challenges to focus on the betterment of others.
b. Part 2: The Opportunity Chair- Here, each member takes a turn in the opportunity chair, shares their current challenge or goal, and then is open to receiving suggestions, ideas, and solutions from the other members.
c. Part 3: The Closing- The session closes with a statement of gratitude and appreciation.
*Every member is expected to actively participate in each part.
Group Guidelines
1. Groups can meet as little or as much as they want, however it is recommended to meet at least once a month at a designated time and location.
2. Groups can be any number in size, however less than 12 is best for timing and scheduling purposes.
3. All mastermind members are equal participants and share the same responsibilities in managing and running the group sessions.
4. Groups must adhere to the time limits.
5. Mastermind sessions are not therapy sessions. The main purpose of the mastermind is to create a goal-oriented environment. Each member is asked to openly share their current challenges and goals with the intention of listening to each member’s suggestions from a place of gratitude and open mindedness.
6. This is a completely confidential, safe space. No member is ever permitted to discuss the events of the mastermind outside of the group.
Job Duties of the Host:
Choose common cause, call meeting to order, announce attendees, ensure members stay on task, maintain order, ensure every member has the opportunity to ask questions, offer ideas, give suggestions and criticism, have time in opportunity chair, ask members in the chair if they followed up on previous suggestions, close the meeting, and collect and save the sign-in sheets.
Timeliness, focus, and order are important to the success and accomplishments of a Mastermind Association. The Host is charged with maintaining these principles, keeping cognizant of the investment of time, knowledge and experience of the group, both as individuals, and as a whole.
Tips, techniques and tools to be the best kind of Host
The key is control; you are serving people by stopping them from getting off track. The Host is charged with helping people get to the point so they can share what’s affecting them the most, so they can get the feedback and suggestions to help them move forward.
Don't Be The Smartest Person In The Room
Show People What You're Doing On Social Media
Reach Out To People You Respect
Be Genuine and Honest
Set The Intention Upfront
Accountability and Service
When is Interruption a Good Thing
How to deal with interrupting, rambling, and negativity
There are many ways to deal with these issues and the most important step is to make agreements ahead of time, usually at the first meeting, about how they will be handled. Make it clear that the Focus Paddle is used out of love and respect in order to get the participant the best possible solutions and resources quickly.
For example, any member can raise the Focus paddle to signal the group to get back on track, or the Host can raise his/her hand as a signal for everyone else in the group to stop talking and raise their hand too, allowing the Host to regain control over the meeting and get the group back on track. The Host might also put their hand on the shoulder of the person who is rambling to signal to them, it’s time to wrap it up.
Often times, a member in the Opportunity Chair will over-explain their challenge. A firm and respectful way to re-orient them to being solution focused might sound something like, “Tom, that’s all interesting information and I want to re-direct you to our intention, and that is for you to… (remind them of their challenge)”
What is the Blue Paddle Interruption
Example of Facilitator Interruption
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