The Power of “We” – the benefits of a mastermind group
“I am a rock. I am an island…
And a rock feels no pain; And an island never cries”
~ Paul Simon, 1965
“…No man is an island, entire of itself…”
~ John Donne, 1624
We humans are social creatures.
We thrive through connection, community, collaboration and co-creation. And although I firmly believe that each one of us is perfectly complete in and of ourselves, at the same time, it is the nature of our creation that connection to others is what makes us far more than the sum of our parts. The example I always think of is the iconic musical group The Beatles. While each of these musicians (along with their musical director George Martin) was undeniably talented in his own right, this group collaboration was massively more creative, influential and productive than the sum total of work produced by all of these artists independently. If you think about it, you might even call The Beatles the most “pop” example of a “mastermind group”, whose sole reason to exist was to churn out challenging, trend-setting (and highly profitable!) music. It’s a clear case of “The Power of We” in action.
The power of “We” is something that has long been known to leaders, both in governments and business. In there book Meet and Grow Rich (2006), Joe Vitale and Bill Hibbler discuss the history of the idea of mastermind groups citing that many people believe the idea of “the mastermind alliance” was originated by the famous mega-business tycoon Andrew (Dale) Carnegie who attributed much of his success in rising from an impoverished upbringing to becoming the richest man in the world to the power of collaboration. And what is most interesting is that Carnegie had started using mastermind groups to help him achieve his personal goals as early as 1850, decades before he reached the pinnacle of his business success.
A look back through history shows us all manner of mastermind groups (in all but name) started by Benjamin Franklin (The Junto), P.T Barnum (The Cary Salon), Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr (The Metaphysical Group). Back when I was a music history student in Boston (I can’t
believe it’s almost 40 years ago!), I also learned about “The Florentine Camerata,” a group of humanists, musicians, writers and other intellectuals led by Vincenzo Galilei (father of the astronomer Galileo Galilei) in the late 1500s, who gathered regularly to discuss and influence trends in this arts. Taken in its broadest sense, this highly influential alliance was also a “mastermind group.”
Now the interesting thing is, most people tend to associate mastermind groups with business growth. But note that the above examples were NOT all focussed on business and profits. Far from it. Rather, these groups were havens of great ideas, inspiration and innovation. Just like The Beatles, they created far more together by dint of their mutual brainstorming and power of intention than they were likely to have done on their own.
What is even more remarkable to think about is the fact that all these groups have all changed history in some way, whether it is in business, government, philosophy, science, technology, the arts or world view.
Ok, I think I’ve made my point about mastermind groups. Now here’s the news I want to share with you.
My client and very good friend Allison Maslan has started a brand new, and very elite, mastermind group called Pinnacle Program that will have its first meeting next month (January 22nd 2011) in La Jolla, California. I am part of this group, as are also nearly 30 other entrepreneurs in a variety of fields. Some of them are names many of you would recognise I am sure. I have joined the group because I have a vision of creating something specific in 2011–a legacy, if you will–that will be the “pinnacle” of my life’s work on this planet. I believe the “power of we” will help me success in getting the project off the ground.
The Pinnacle Program is filling up, but it still has some room for a few more members for 2011. Allison is organising this group in such a way that anyone who wishes to be a part of it must be with us from the very beginning. In other words, you cannot just join later in the year. This is not a “personal development course.” Nor is it just a bunch of people getting together to network 4 times a year. It is a highly structured, very clever program with many different forms of support, including four annual full-day masterminds, weekly pod calls, monthly group coaching, and even daily support. Allison is even throwing in a full year’s free subscription to her Blastation motivational software (that’s worth $300 on its own).
If you want to check out all the details about the Pinnacle Program, go to http://ThePinnacleProgram.com
A few weeks ago, Allison and I did the “10 Steps to Reach Your Pinnacle”webinar. I know from the emails I’ve received from people who attended that some of you out there are thinking about joining The Pinnacle, but have a lot of questions you would like to ask before you commit to such a program.
That’s why Allison and I are holding an online Question and Answer session on Thursday December 9th, specifically to answer any questions you may have about mastermind groups, The Pinnacle, or the benefits you might expect from joining this group.
This is a completely OPEN call. That means you DON’T have to sign up to attend or give your email address. It will be driven solely by the questions we receive from you either in advance or on the live call.
Here’s how to attend and submit your questions:
Open Q&A about The Pinnacle Mastermind Program
Thursday December 9th 2010
12pm Pacific / 3pm EST / 8pm UK
NO SIGN UP REQUIRED! Just show up!
To attend via web go to:
http://InstantTeleseminar.com/?eventID=16352121
Click “Listen In” and you can listen EITHER via web or via telephone
(the phone number and access code will be displayed when you select “telephone” as your option).
Not sure you can make the live call? Want to ask a question in advance? There’s a question form right on that page where you can ask whatever you want. Be SURE to include your email address if you want a personal reply.
I look forward to hearing your voices on this Q&A call, and to the possibility of collaborating with some of you throughout 2011 on The Pinnacle Program.
Oh, and just as a point of interest, the above quote from Paul Simon’s song “I am a Rock” was first recorded as a solo piece in 1965, but it didn’t make it as a hit until he collaborated with musical partner Art Garfunkel and re-released the track the following year under the name Simon and Garfunkel. The words themselves are meant to be ironic, but the history of the song makes them even moreso.
Long live the “Power of We”!
About Lynn Serafinn, Creator of Spirit Authors
Lynn Serafinn is a transformation coach, book promotion coach, radio host and bestselling author of the book The Garden of the Soul: lessons from four flowers that unearth the Self. She also works as a campaign manager for mind-body-spirit authors and has produced several top-10 book campaigns, including FOUR #1-sellers, in 2010 alone. She created Spirit Authors to offer training, coaching, business-building and inspiration for mind-body-spirit authors, whether established or aspiring. Contact Lynn about YOUR book project at at http://spiritauthors.com/contact.
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