Joining a Mastermind Group? Know the Etiquette

A mastermind group can provide you with a number of benefits. But before you join a mastermind group, it's a good idea to understand how the group works, and what kind of etiquette is appropriate for the group.

Each group will have it's own rules of etiquette, from how much help to ask for, to how many times to meet, to whether or not there's an agenda to stick to. In general, though, here are a few rules of thumb to stick to as you get involved in a mastermind group:

Be Honest

One of the most important rules of participating in a mastermind group is that you should be honest. You need to be honest with yourself, as well as with other members of the mastermind group. You want honest feedback on your ideas, so you need to be honest in the feedback you give to others.

This honesty doesn't give you an excuse to be rude, though. You can be honest and tactful, and that should be your aim. You don't want to hurt other group members, but you do want to make sure that you are speaking truth.

Listen to Others

Listening is important in any relationship, and it's no different with a mastermind group. You need to make sure you listen to others when they describe their challenges. When appropriate, ask questions that can help you understand the situation better — and then listen to the answers.

Don't forget to listen to the suggestions other give you. Remember that you aren't part of the mastermind group to go on a power trip. Your fellow participants probably have some good constructive criticism for you. Take that criticism and use it to improve. Listen without becoming angry and you will find priceless gems that can inspire your efforts.

Keep it Confidential

Participating in a mastermind group is about trust. You need to keep most of the stuff confidential. Don't steal others' ideas and then adopt them as your own. Don't share the inside secrets you learn from the members of your mastermind group. You need to make sure that you can keep things between you and the other members.

There might be some cases in which it makes sense to share with one or two very trusted people, especially if you need them to execute the things you learn from the mastermind group, but it's poor form to go blabbing the inside secrets of the mastermind group to pretty much anyone and everyone.

Show Commitment

Finally, you need to show commitment to your mastermind group. While you might not be able to meet every time, you should make an effort to participate. You need to support others in their efforts — just as you are being supported in yours. Commitment to the group as a whole, and commitment to the individuals in the group, are both important aspects of participating in a mastermind group. Make sure that you do your best to attend and to provide helpful insights.

What do you think is good mastermind group etiquette?