When starting your own mastermind group it's imperative that you and your members come up with some rules about the purpose of the group and how members are expected to behave.
These rules are often compiled into a document called Mastermind Group Guidelines and each member signs it to show they agree to follow these rules and principles.
Here's why they matter: initially, your members are getting a feel for each other, connecting (or not connecting) based on personality, goals and communication style.
Then comes the rocky part of any group (sort of like the "seven year itch" in marriage) where things can fall apart.
Members don't honor each other's boundaries, people don't show up for meetings, and the energy of the group falls flat.
Some members even begin to act up in meetings, causing concern and distrust among everyone present.
Guidelines help the Group Facilitator to bring the members back into alignment.
Breaking the masterminding discussion pattern for one session and focusing on the group's goals and purpose helps to solidify a group that's faltering.
It gets people to re-commit to the group process, and gives people who have been looking for an escape from the group the perfect opportunity to leave in a healthy way.
Facilitators can also use the Guidelines when speaking with a difficult member, one that the group hopes to retain, but only if he/she modifies their behavior to conform to the Guidelines.
Harmony and respect are the keywords to any successful mastermind group.
Written Guidelines will help you keep harmony and respect flowing smoothly among your members.