Thomas Mangum

Masterminding vs. Big Bloated Companies

NOW is the most critical time to come to together; to communicate; to collaborate; to contribute and make a difference in life. 

Sorry Charlie, business isn't coming back.  It's going forward!

I recall what my silent and powerful friend, Greg Hartle, founder of the Financial Happiness Project has said AND witnessed again and again...smart business today is bringing talent together for a project.  When the mission is achieved, dismissing the team and repeating again on the next project.

Consider this:

• It's good for the organizer whereby they benefit from the unique talents and experience of different people.
• It's good for the bottom-line of the project whereby it leverages talent only for the time it takes to accomplish the mission.
• It's good for the talent because it specifically leverages and celebrates the talent and experience they bring.  There is a deep fulfillment in being of service in a specific area that we genuinely like. 
• it's good for the talent's bottom-line from a financial perspective as well.  Look at this from the abundance perspective versus scarcity perspective.  "Oh my gosh where is my next gig?" vs. "People are calling on me because of my results on the last gig".

What's important here is to

a) believe that you have unique abilities and experience that will benefit others.

b) get some help uncovering those abilities.  If you're like the typical human then you have no clue what your unique abilities are.  Much like seeing that spot on your back from the same perspective another person will, you MUST have the detached perspective of another.

c) engaging with people that celebrate, champion and are an advocate for making best use of those unique abilities.  

bottom line here is It will NOT happen alone!  

It's part of the reason I chose to launch MastermindingNOW!  

1. To champion the power of Masterminding and the Mastermind Group 
2. To provide subject matter expertise in the area
3. To inspire you to come together and quite simply...to START a conversation.  

There are dozens of places to learn the mechanics of mastermind groups and just as many groups called "mastermind groups" paid and free.  The true key where the team at MastermindingNOW! excel is engaging "the 1+1=3 Way"; fostering a place of trust, authenticity, abundance and harmony where "magic moments" aren't elusive, they are guaranteed. 

I've played a part in the success of some amazing mastermind groups including "one of the most exclusive wealth retreats in the world".  I've collaborated quietly with group after group....in the background.  And more than anything else, it pissed me off that "mastermind magic" is so elusive to the majority of the population and it's there for the asking!

Several business owners and company leaders have consulted me to help them create, accelerate and leverage results through collaboration whether they are called mastermind groups, idea potlucks,  synergy groups, among others.  

There is one common denominator with those that reach out. They believe in the sheer power of collaboration or as I call it, The 1+1=3 Way. They believe and have seen that 1+1=2 is old school, scarcity mentality crap.  

The time has come to stand up and pass forward the knowledge, resources and soul of conscious collaboration.

It truly is time to move from the boring, time-wasting, posturing, mob scene meetings to masterful mastermind moments. 

I'm proud to support you as you support conscious business and create mastermind magic moments.

As with anything in life, it's a work in progress and the only thing to do is START!

Connect NOW!  at  www.MastermindingNOW.com

And Follow Us on Twitter.  www.Twitter.com/MastermindNOW

 

One Tribe

One Tribe?

The Same Brain That Created The Problem Isn't The One To Solve It

Humans are built to collaborate...if we ALLOW ourselves.

We create more together than we can alone.  This allowing is where the breakthroughs happen.  If we don't allow, then we continue to get what we've gotten.

I recognized this as a pattern when I listened to Clate Mask, CEO of Infusionsoft talk about what it takes to be move from being a $300K business versus a $3M business.  

I've witnessed that there is a barrier that we bump up against again and again and wonder why we get stopped out at that same place.  Fundamentally, we are using what got us HERE to take us THERE and that isn't working.

Solution?

A different  perspective, fresh ideas, etc... and the easiest place to get that?  Other people!

#1  Collaborate with others

#2  Go one better, create a mastermind group and mastermind a solution

A quick 50 sec video that I recorded as we started a walking mastermind group called "The Walk & Talk"

What do you think?

How Likeable Are You? It Makes A Difference To Your Bottom Line

It's not popular to say this.  However, you WILL get more of what you desire if you're likeable.  Rarely is it what you say or even what you do, that's remembered, it's how you make them feel, that has sticking power.

What Is Likeability?

Likeability is the “ability to create positive attitudes in other people through the delivery of emotional and physical benefits.” If you are highly likeable, you are apt to bring people joy, put them at ease and give them what Tim Sanders, the author of The Likeability Factor calls, “a big psychological hug.”

He says that “Every person alive has an L-Factor, which is the indicator of how likeable you are. Every one of us is either likeable or unlikeable.”

But, aren't we born with a certain dose of likeability? Some people are just naturally likeable, right? Are the rest of us stuck with the same Likeability Factor for life? Fortunately not. Tim suggests that it's a practical skill that you can improve over time. It takes work, but you can enhance your likeability and by doing so, become more successful in every area of life. 

And just in case you think Tim is alone here, the The Likeability Guy, has  Likeability Laws. The guy rocks AND I completely agree with these laws.

1. We like people who like us
2. We like people who are like us
3. We like authentic people
4. We like people who make us feel safe
5. We like people who get (understand) us
6. We like people who elevate our mood
7. We like people with whom we have frequent contact
8. We like people with whom we collaborate
9. We like polite people
10. We like beautiful people
11. We like people who we associate with good feelings
12. We like people who are relevant in our lives
13. We like people who make us feel welcome
14. We like the people we help
15. We like people who can laugh at themselves easily

Today, on Virtual Coffee Radio, my guest was Diane Kennedy.  The topic today was building big lists AND maintaining a personal connection.  She stated three major peices to achieve this. 

1. Cultivate an affinity where your fans and followers simply like you and respect you.  It opens the door to hear what you're offering. 
2. Become Relatable where you're able to speak your audience's language.
3. Introduce great Content.

I mention this because this post is about likeability and you'll notice that if you don't have it, it doesn't matter how good your content it is.  

How Likeable Are You?

Take Tim Sanders' L-Factor Self-Assessment.  In this short exercise to see just how likeable you really are.  

If you discovered you have "room for improvement", then there is hope.  Focus on these key areas to improve your likeability. 

Be Friendly: Fill your conversations with positive words, rather than negative ones because words like, “wonderful,” “great,” and “I'd be glad to help” exude friendliness. 

Stay Relevant: Focus on what you can do for people, rather than what they can do for you. Take initiative.  Sure, offer your knowledge, resources and compassion and take it one step further by being their advocate.  

Show Empathy and Compassion: Show that you are interested and care about others. Recognize and acknowledge the significance of their issues through your words and tone. 

Keep it Real: You can't fake likeability.  Once people see that your actions and words are sincere, they will not only like you, but they will also listen to you, value your opinions and respect you.

Think about it—don't we go out of our way for people we like and give them the benefit of the doubt in questionable situations?  

Aren't likeable people memorable and top of mind? 

Boost The Performance of Your Team With A Code Of Honor

Whether it's your mastermind group, football team or your relationship, the performance and results it achieves will be largely dependent on "how tight you call the game", as Blair Singer states in The ABCs of Building A Team That Wins.

It's so strange that I've met so few people that use this key technique to dramatically change the construct of the game.  Personally, this is has moved a mastermind group from mediocre to magic moments.

The basic premise is to have a unifying "code" by which all on the team agree and commit to, no matter what.  At least SOMETHING that will unify agendas to carry the team through when the going gets tough and propel a good team to great results.

If you're viewing this outside of www.thomasmangum.com, you may need to go to the original source to view the video here. 

 

Another Testimonial About The Power Of The Mastermind

if you're reading this somewhere else than www.thomasmangum.com then the video may only show by going to "View Original Post" or some such wording. 

Building a Smart Team

It's critical to put smart people around me because I realize that the same thinking that got me "here" is not going to be the same thinking that get's me "there".  By "there", I mean the place where I see my business in the future...my "vision" if you will.  Profound?  Simplistic?  and TRUE!

Maybe you catch yourself saying things like this too, "if I just had the right person to...", "if I could only clone myself...", "if I could just figure out...", yeah well guess what?  The answer is as simple as asking the question.

Let's break this down.

1.  Awareness:  Be consciously aware of what talent you want.  C'mon, if you can't admit what is going on, then how are you ever going to solve it?  You've heard this one before.  You have to know what you want to get what you want--at least a start.  Now, I modified that slightly, since I feel if I knew exactly what talent I wanted on my team, then there would be no room for someone that solved the problem better than I could have imagined, so I quickly go to #2.

2. Say What You Want. Even if you're just telling the problem you believe you have and who or what you "think" would be the solution.  Example:  I understand the importance of sharing knowledge and resources via writing, however I don't thoroughly enjoy writing on a schedule.  How do I build trust and credibility via writing without writing?

3. Receive & Act.  When you get some input, ACT on it!  Don't just sit there thinking "ummmm.  I wonder if that will work?".  Remember the saying "if I was going to figure it out alone, I already would have".  This is where "smart" people around you are important.  By smart, I mean they see possibility where you may not.  They're not emotionally invested in the outcome, thus aren't as swayed by the outcome.  This is another play on "the same mind that created the problem, isn't the one to solve it" saying.  Make a move!  In the example above, if it was suggested to get a writer to start or create lots of articles, then actually entertainn offers.  What I've found is, no matter what I believe is an onerous task, there is someone out there that can't believe they get paid to do it, because to them it is their natural and unique ability.  Much like, each of us have those things that we do so effortlessly and enjoy so immensely that we have to pinch ourselves because it's so fun and we're rewarded for it.

"oh but Thomas, what if I find someone and it doesn't work out?"  Yup, it's bound to happen, so keep going; keep sifting for those gems.  Isn't it WORTH the process of finding extraordinary people that help you manifest your vision? If you don't, then get real comfortable with what you have.  

What's this worth in your life?  How can this get you booked solid on YOUR terms? Post a comment, I want to know.