I’m on my way home from my second annual meet up with The Super Power Sisterhood, my mastermind group of fabulous women ranging in age from 40’s-70’s.
We’re all pros in the same profession coming together for fun and focused work on each of us.
The lessons learned there, I’m putting forth to you as the holiday season and year-end is upon us. Reflection happens. Some thoughts on wants and goals come forth. ‘Tis the season for renewal.
Why go it alone? The more the merrier.
Form a group to support your career transition (or whatever you are up to):
Determine Candidates:
Who are your ideal members?
What do you want to have in common and what differences do you want?
My group has a common industry but different ages and strengths.
A career transition group would benefit from different industries, for example.
Create the Structure:
How often will you meet?
We meet once a year in person and several times by phone year round.
What will happen when you are together?
When live, we give each person 90 mins. on the “hot seat” getting everyone’s attention and resources.
Establish Ground Rules:
What do you require of your group?, are your rules about attendance?
What are your expectations for support and behavior?
Our group established that showing up and attendance is critical to staying in the group. Short of family emergencies or health issues, we expect attendance.
We put forth Commitment, Connection, and Communication as guiding principles for our group
My colleagues and I are coaches so we are good at listening, not talking over each other, and we ask a lot of questions and don’t give flat out advice.
I highly recommend that, at the very least, you avoid telling people what they “should” do. Make suggestions, offer resources and ideas but watch out for the very word “should.” It usually reveals your own agenda more than what’s good for another. And few of us hear “should” and get excited about whatever comes behind it.
Be Clear About Outcomes:
There’s no point in forming a group if you don’t get what you want out of it.
What do you want? Ideas? Connections? Guidance? Weekly check-ins? Accountability?
For us, there is renewal, clarity, focus, next steps and the surge of energy that comes from knowing you’re not alone.
Follow these guidelines and get going. The more the merrier!
P. S. The Super Power Sisterhood includes a lot of chocolate. I’m not mandating that for your group, but it couldn’t hurt.
Let’s face it, it’s scary and risky to put yourself out there, and people WILL likely judge you and put you down.
One condition I have for working with a client who is figuring out next career steps is that they cannot be in a rush or panicked about their situation. Years of experience have taught me that although fear is an appropriate response when life hands you a curveball or you’re going through a difficult time, the exploration that will yield the most satisfying choice of work, does not come from extreme emotional conditions.
