ITLM is a community of curated small groups of IT leaders who want to learn, grow, mentor, and help themselves and others be the best leaders they can. We didn’t invent the mastermind group idea, but have collectively found that a collaborative, judgemental free, supportive group of IT leaders has helped us each achieve great things over the past two years.

“The master mind may be defined as a ‘coordination of knowledge and effort, in a spirit of harmony, between two or more people, for the attainment of a definite purpose.’” Napoleon Hill – Think and Grow Rich

Benefits of mastermind groups

In mastermind groups, you’re interacting with your peers and both give and receive advice. It’s also a forum that lends itself naturally to setting goals:

Shrink the learning curve: It takes time to learn to be successful at something. But when you can connect with people who have done the thing you’re trying to do, you can learn from them. This shrinks the time to success.

Conquer limiting beliefs: Sometimes your lizard brain is the biggest obstacle to success. It tries to protect you, and you find yourself saying, I can’t do X. Having a roomful of people who will challenge your limiting beliefs can help you conquer them.

Accountability: It’s one thing to say you’re going to make a change. It’s another to know that people you respect are going to ask you whether you took the steps you committed to. That’s accountability!

Get perspective: It’s easy to get caught in the weeds of your day-to-day. For example, business owners often find themselves working in their business instead of on their business. A mastermind can help you zoom out and see the bigger picture.

Grow your network: We’ll do this without the cheesy sayings (“Your network is your net worth!”) BUT if you’re looking at a mastermind group, growing your network is a huge plus.

What makes a mastermind group work?

Experience: Mastermind groups can work at intermediate and expert levels; they’re not usually right for total beginners (a group coaching model works better for newbies). The group members need to be able to share experience and learned knowledge.

Vulnerability: A mastermind group needs to be safe, and it only works if people are vulnerable and honest. Brené Brown’s work on vulnerability and shame shows how being vulnerable is what builds connection. And it’s true in our mastermind group. Expressing fears, hopes, and dreams is all part of it–this is also why you may even make a few close friends.

Structure: Good mastermind groups aren’t just free-for-alls. An effective mastermind needs structure and intention behind it–and following a schedule is a must.

Active listening: Members of the group need to actively listen and respond to the person who shares, and should ask questions and give feedback.

Consistency: Mastermind groups should meet consistently over a set period of time. This helps them find a rhythm (both for members and the host), and leads to transformation.

Confidentiality: Members should be confident enough to be vulnerable and know that what they share won’t leave the group.

Helpfulness: Mastermind members should be open to helping each other, offering feedback, and sharing resources and connections.