Inside my Titans Xcelerator Mastermind, I recently created “accountability PODS” (i.e. groups of four to six members, getting together once a week to talk about specific opportunities and challenges within their businesses, outside of the larger group calls).
I leave it to the group to determine their agenda for each meeting…we have different templates and spreadsheets they can use to help facilitate their calls if they want to use them…but they are basically on their own to determine the most effective format.
Hey…they need to be accountable for their accountability, right? 🙂
One of the POD “captains” came up with an innovative twist for his group’s meetings—one that is so simple…yet so profound.
It involves sharing the most important idea/concept/takeaway from books each person in the group is reading at the time of the calls…and use those ideas as an entry point to a group discussion.
And it reminded me of a similar concept …one that I developed with an accountability group of my own in 2016…and I was subsequently interviewed in Forbes Magazine (online) to talk about it.
It was equally simple, not revolutionary, yet it got a major business magazine’s attention (which was pleasantly surprising).
With the bonus of creating a “pop up mastermind” with folks who then became lifelong friends.
More on that in a minute…but first, some additional background.
Masterminding is critical to taking your business and mission to the next level… and it’s a lot easier than you think, even if you don’t have the funds to join one.
In 2016, I wrote to you about my experience at The Pentagon (yes, THAT Pentagon) which was titled, “Masterminding at The Pentagon.”
While I didn’t really get military clearance to hang out with my marketing buddies at the Pentagon, I did the next best thing:
I was offered the privilege to speak to our troops stationed just outside The Pentagon at Fort Myer, Virginia.
And I took that opportunity to speak to them about masterminding.
You might be thinking, “How would a military veteran benefit from such a topic?”
I maintain that they benefit more than most since their commitment to “team” over “individual” –a given for soldiers—is also a given to making a mastermind work.
Stay with me.
I also got an insider’s tour of the Pentagon which was very cool…and a bit overwhelming.
Here’s just a part of one hallway:

This event was sponsored by American Dream U, a non-profit organization that is dedicated to help our soldiers re-career out of the military as they enter civilian life.
It’s the brainchild of my good friend Phil Randazzo.
Here we are doing a “press conference” at The Pentagon:

Phil is so devoted to helping our Vets…not only to re-career out of the military but to address the more critical area around re-entering civilian life from the military, which is needed way before they can launch new careers.
Our Vets face so many hardships—homelessness, depression, and sadly, a suicide rate that is unacceptable.
American Dream U and Phil are on the battlefield on all these issues, no pun intended. With unwavering dedication and resources.
I learned a lot of things while at Fort Myer…experienced the troops up close and personal…and we visited Walter Reed National Military Medical Center to spend some quality time with our wounded warriors as well.
It was difficult at times…but equally inspiring.
The one thing I could humbly offer to the troops at Fort Myers is the thing that Forbes Magazine picked up on too–and I was honored that Forbes arranged to interview me and then printed an article talking about that one thing:
An easy way for anyone to form a mastermind group.
This lesson did NOT come from a “marketing legend” (which Forbes falsely labeled me)—I am far from a legend—but it was very valuable. 🙂
As was every idea shared by each person in our group…one solid piece of useful and actionable advice from some amazing entrepreneurs…hard won wisdom from decades in the business world.
See the P.S. to see the “cast of characters.”
Back to the idea of “do it yourself masterminds”…which was applicable to the troops who are pivoting from the military to civilian life…but also for entrepreneurs and executives everywhere, in every industry.
And like most of my legendary ideas, it was borrowed from others…people wiser and smarter…which you know is standard operating procedure for me.
Tracing the origin of the idea on The Google, you find references to feminist groups in the 1960’s…further back to other women’s groups of the 1800’s…and ultimately to a possible original source, a Puritan ship bound for America in the 1600’s.
In 1634, [Anne] Hutchinson organized a women’s group on a ship to discuss weekly sermons. This is considered the first recorded book club in North America.
And I’m sure if there were books in 500 BCE, Confucius would have invented it because he seems to be the original source of everything. 🙂
I’ll just give credit to Oprah Winfrey since she is alive and well…and she did it with global success.
The idea (which you know by now)?
“Start a book club.”
But the wrinkle I added:
Start or participate in a book club with a mastermind in mind.
I’m sure Napoleon Hill had this as a corollary when he was becoming the inventor of the modern mastermind.
Regardless, I believe that this idea (as outlined succinctly in the Forbes article below) is as useful for you as it is for the soldiers…simple yet powerful… and I would love your feedback.
And any add-ons you have done with your own book clubs.
Click on my face in the picture below to read the details.
It’s easy reading. 🙂

Warmly,
Brian
P.S. Just one more picture…so I can acknowledge all the amazing entrepreneurs I shared the stage with at Fort Myer…I’d tag them all if this was Facebook…but you’ll just have to trust me that they are all heroes.

And a huge shout out of appreciation to all who serve and sacrifice.
Thank a soldier or a veteran if you see one…or better yet, give them a hug.
P.P.S. I am currently a member of five mastermind groups, and I facilitate one of my own (formerly three of my own).
I guess you can call me a “mastermind junkie.”
Being in a room sharing (whether from books, your experience, other’s experience, experts) …where you are never the smartest person in the room…gathering feedback and taking it in (rather than rejecting it outright) with love never leaving the room …is a prescription like no other for success.
I pay a big fee for three of the masterminds where I am a member…the other two are “free” (although the folks in those groups hold me as accountable as the ones I pay for).
It’s often said that you need to “pay to pay attention”…but I reject that…assuming you never abandon your personal responsibility.
Whether the experience costs you money or not, it’s up to you to make sure accountability follows.
And getting a little help from your friends and colleagues is nothing to be embarrassed about.
In fact, it’s the only way to do it in my book.
This is the reason why I created accountability PODS in Titans Xcelerator (with the help of members and experts who have done them before), with no additional fee.
Just an additional, and optional, overdelivery on the membership.
Those who are participating are having extraordinary results.
As are all members, whether they have joined a POD or not.
If you would like to know more about Titans Xcelerator—with the accountability PODS being only one of many game-changing elements–click here.
Alternatively (or in addition) you can always start a book club…but always with a mastermind in mind.
Regardless, you need to start somewhere.
No one needs to go it alone. 🙂