Have you used Masterminding and Coaching or heard others use them interchangeably in your conversations? They both bring groups of like-minded people together. They both have an element of sharing knowledge. They both require a commitment from the participants. AND, they both will help your business grow.

Masterminding

Mastermind Groups have been around since the early 1900’s and were more formally introduced by Napoleon Hill. In his timeless classic, Think and Grow Rich, he wrote about the Mastermind principle as: “The coordination of knowledge and effort of two or more people, who work toward a definite purpose, in the spirit of harmony.”

Mastermind groups really offer a combination of brainstorming, education, peer accountability and support in a group setting to sharpen your business and personal skills. A mastermind group helps you and your mastermind group members achieve success. Members challenge each other to set strong goals, and more importantly, to accomplish them.

The Bible tells us in Mathew 18:20, For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. One commentary says “The context of the entire chapter is about interpersonal relationships and offenses, not the church.”

Types of Masterminding Groups

The classic mastermind group requires commitment, confidentiality, willingness to both give and receive advice and ideas, and support each other with total honesty, respect and compassion. Mastermind group members act as catalysts for growth, devil’s advocates and supportive colleagues. This is the essence and value of mastermind groups.

Each meeting has a mastermind group agenda, so that conversations stay on course. The Facilitator is tasked with making sure that conversations are deep and balanced, and that all mastermind group meeting agenda items are covered in the time allotted.

The mega-mastermind group requires participation from each participant on a different level. They’re designed so that individuals can get personal attention and the brainstorming, problem-solving, and accountability power of the group. The Hot Seats (individualized attention) is reserved for a few and the facilitator is giving the advice verbally while others in the group can participate on written google documents that are able to be shared with everyone.

Masterminding this way is still about being there for each other. It’s about showing up and participating deeply for every single meeting. Because of the nature of a mastermind group, a commitment is required. Your mastermind group members rely upon your participation, and you want to know that they are going to be around for you, too when you are in the Hot Seat.

The challenge focused mastermind is the one I have used the most with my networking group. It is a more spontaneous type of masterminding that helps us to really live out Proverbs 27:17, Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.

This type of group looks for highly motivated people who are both willing to ask for help and support and are willing to give help and support to other people. It also requires those who are ready to commit several hours per month to their own personal and business growth.

And it’s not just about showing up for meetings. True commitment means you will offer help — and ask for help — in a balanced way at every meeting. Sometimes I see group members who are great at giving advice and tips but when it comes to their own turn to be get assistance, they mumble, “I have nothing to brainstorm around for this meeting. You can skip me.” That’s not good! It’s the give-and-take among members that makes a group valuable to everyone.

To sum up, in Mastermind Groups the members of the group are offering each other help and support. So, you ask a question or share a situation and the other members of the group offer thoughts, opinions, help, support, and guidance.

There’s usually a facilitator who manages the meetings and also offers their own thoughts, opinions, help, support, and guidance in addition to the other group members. In more formal groups the facilitator does not bring their own questions/situations to the group.

Coaching

One definition of Coaching is that it is a process that enables and facilitates learning and development while allowing for the improve of performance. It supports strengths, talents, and abilities while helping clients overcome obstacles and fears in order to reach goals and dreams.

Coaching is done by an individual to another individual or to a group. The term mentor has also been applied to coaching. When we combine these two terms with get this definition: a person who gives performance feedback, delegates responsibilities, and motivates performance as well as a person who focuses on guiding participants to self-development and self-sufficiency. It is the best of both words.

The coaching experience will give you clarity as you continue to refine your visions and dreams and get super clear on what you’re doing and why.

Types of Coaching

Group coaching requires a leader, generally a coach, and is the one offering the help and support. So, you ask a question or share a situation and you’re coached through it by the coach. In some cases, it might be set up as a combination coaching and question/answer session (again, with the coach answering the questions).

There might be a topic for each meeting that is briefly taught by the coach and then it’s opened to the group to ask questions for help and support around that topic. The size of a coaching group is determined by the coach and how they have set it up.

Group coaching is ideal for growing your business by giving you accountability, support, and structure. The coach usually has a specific plan you will follow, and it will open you up to thinking about all parts of your business. You learn from the coach as well as others in the group. And, it is helpful for you to grow your specific business and become a leader in your industry.

There is a commitment to regular meetings so that you continue to implement and hit your goals.

One-on-one coaching is another way to work on your business. This is usually a VIP type of situation. The coach has a specific program you desire and you follow the prescription set out to accomplish the goals within the program.

It is really the group coaching ramped-up because you are getting the individualized attention of the coach. It requires that you be committed to following the plan and exacting change.

To sum up, Coaching gives you growth, action, beliefs and mindset development to build your happiest, most rewarding and impactful business.

Happy Combination

Both group coaching and masterminding are a step forward in business growth for those who need actionable advice and have the capacity to take that action. Both are invaluable resources in business.

That’s why I have designed a program that combines these two formats. It is a Coaching/Mastermind. The transformation I want to see for you is that you will have a PLAN, know your PURPOSE, and use God’s POWER in your life and business so you serve Him through your work.

There will be coaching from me as we explore a monthly theme. The teaching topics will be focused on faith and business. We will also be looking at a biblical truth each month through a female Biblical business mentor. In addition to coaching from me, there will be a time of questions where everyone is encouraged to answer and give advice to one another, masterminding.

Are you ready to commit to this type of plan? Here is something that may help you decide if the Plan, Purpose, Power Coaching/Mastermind is for you.

Rate yourself on a scale of 1 (“No, not at this time”) to 5 (“Yes, absolutely”):

_____ Do you want a supportive and encouraging coach and group of partners?

_____ Are you ready to grow personally and professionally?

_____ Do you have the desire and inspiration to make this year extraordinary?

_____ Are you ready to create more focus in your life and business?

_____ Are you committed to attending all meetings (via zoom) and participating regularly?

_____ Do you want to reach or exceed your goals?

_____ Are you committed to making the shift from settling for an ordinary life to one that satisfies you on new levels?

_____ Are you ready to let your desire to be passionate about your life and work overcome your fear of change?

_____ Do you want to explore specific topics and diverse views within the context of a group?

_____ Are you willing to invest time, money, emotion, willpower and energy into taking better care of yourself and creating the life and business you want?

_____ Are you willing to be supportive, and provide privacy and safety, when others share what truly matters to them?

_____ Are you ready to learn from a coach and your peers?

_____ Are you willing to ask for help?

_____ Are you willing to give to the group as much as you receive?

Your Score ____

If your score is:

• 14 – 28: Take a look at yourself and ask yourself if you’re really ready to create the business and life you want. Are you ready to do what God is calling you to do? What’s the first thing you’d like to work on?
• 29 – 42: You’re ready to take control of your life, your career and your personal success. A membership in this group can help you create the strategy and actions for moving forward and seeing your work as your way to serve God!
• 43 – 70: You’re probably already moving forward on designing the life and business you want and deserve. Belonging to this group can help you move across the finish line to really connecting your faith and business and doing it all for God!

If you’re ready to feel more satisfied in your life and business and find significance in God’s calling for you, then this program is for you. Connect with me, say YES, and we will move forward from there.

Be filled to overflowing,

Deneen