Why Should Solo HR Practitioners Join Mastermind Groups?

mastermind

HR leaders in departments of one (or even those in departments of 2-3) are generally juggling work that is 20% strategic, organizational development work and 80% administrative and transactional work.  With that type of imbalance it is difficult to take time to think, develop, grow, and focus on organizational effectiveness, or your own career.

Mastermind groups can cultivate business relationship with like-minded professionals who are struggling and succeeding in this role. Choosing business relationships with care, and cultivating them into trusting and supportive groups that also hold you accountble has the ability to impact your personal and professional life in profound ways.

A small group of people who we allow to see our most vulnerable and our most triumphant selves can directly impact what we ultimately achieve in our careers. This is the power behind a mastermind group.

This group of colleagues, friends, and confidantes can push us to stretch beyond our comfort zone, work harder, think larger, support us when we feel like quitting, hold us accountable in a way that inspires us to achieve our goals.

What happens in a mastermind group?

The group is generally small – as few as 6 or 8 members, and up to 15 or 20 members is ideal.  In larger groups the best thing to do is break the group into smaller circles of 4 to 8 members who work together during the masterminding session. Most importantly, the group must form a solid and confidential connection, and must have a structured method for sharing accomplishments, challenges, goals, projects, and struggles.

The group then acts as an advisory board for each other by brainstorming ideas, sharing suggestions, making recommendations and providing advice.  It is important that everyone in the group is able to give and receive feedback and advice openly and authentically.  If someone resists listening to or acting on the advice then they are not ready for the growth and development that can be achieved by masterminding.  Similarly, if someone always gives advice as the “expert” yet is never willing to listen to the advice of others then that person is not a good fit for the mastermind group. Only a group in which everyone is equally able to give and receive advice, and both trust the other group members and gain the trust of the other members will the amazing power of masterminding unfold.

Categories