Sometimes achieving a common goal might need a group of people to come together. Sustainability-related issues are often complex and therefore creating a sustainability mastermind group is ideal for people who are interested in similar issues and want to help each other to achieve their goals.
But what is a mastermind group exactly and how can you start one? In this article, we’ll dive into the world of mastermind groups and focus on factors you should know when creating one for sustainability.
What is a mastermind group?
A mastermind group is a group of people coming together to brainstorm new ideas, give support, and help each other grow. The goal is to help others to achieve success. These groups are often started by an individual who has an idea or topic they want to focus on. Then, other members with similar interests will join. Ideal mastermind groups involve 2-4 active members who are committed to learning from others.
Benefits of a sustainability mastermind group
Having an active sustainability mastermind group is a great way to meet people with similar interests and work towards common goals. You will be able to not only discuss important topics but also learn from others with a different perspective, receive honest feedback from others, and stay motivated even when facing challenges on your journey.
How to start a sustainability mastermind group
Starting a sustainability mastermind group is pretty simple. We have put together a list of steps to take to get started:
Step 1: Define the purpose and the topics you want to focus on.
The first and maybe the most important step of creating your sustainability mastermind group is to define the purpose and the topics you want to focus on. Having one common goal will help you and the group members to work towards something important.
Step 2: Find members
The second step is to find members to join your sustainability mastermind group. These people are ideally in your time zone for scheduling purposes, since you want to have a consistent meeting schedule at times that are ideal for each member. It is important to look for people with a similar level of growth as you have to make the most of your meetings. In addition, it’s good to have a group of people from the same industry you work in. This isn’t a must since a group of people from different industries might be able to create great conversations as well, however, it depends on your topic, it might be ideal to focus on meeting with members who have a similar knowledge. If you decide to meet with people from your industry only, avoid meeting with your competitors.
Step 3: Setup a time to meet on a regular basis
Meeting up on a regular basis is important for consistency and growth. Try to organize the meetings at least once or twice a month and don’t forget to share the call link with the members for a sake of efficiency. If you decide to have a call monthly or bi-weekly, after each meeting, schedule an email follow-up to check in with each other on progress. Always support each other and hold each other accountable.
Step 4: Organize the topics and flow of the meetings
The last step is simply to be organized. By doing so, you will be able to effectively handle all the meetings without spending time to look plan the meeting in the meeting. Start your meetings with general updates from the last meeting. Then share any challenges or opportunities each member might be facing. Lastly, wrap up with any resources or leanings they have had and would like to share.
What next?
Whether you are the founder of the mastermind group or a member, always prepare for these meetings beforehand. Treat these meetings like a work call or coaching call; be prepared, on time, and active. Also, try avoiding giving too much advice to others but instead speak from your own experience. This helps the other members to relate to you.
Author: Oona Yletyinen