How Integrity Can Make or Break a MasterMind Group

Successful MasterMinds are built on trust, honesty, authenticity, vulnerability and the willingness to risk with each other. Even one member with questionable integrity will compromise the entire group,diminishing the shared trust and therefore the level of risk or vulnerability people are willing to explore with each other.

In considering the integrity of group members, first take a look at your own. Each person’s understanding of that word is highly personal, but you might ask these questions to learn more about your own integrity:

Is the person you are on the inside the same person that people know and experience from the outside?

Do you “walk your talk”?

Do you project an authentic sense of yourself to others, or do you feel you have to “be someone” or project a façade of some sort?

Do you keep and follow through with your agreements?

Do people typically experience you as an honest person?

Does “doing the right thing” and caring about the welfare of others come easily to you?

Once you’ve thoroughly explored your own standards of integrity, you’re ready to consider other people’s integrity with a sense of compassion, andthe understanding that we are not perfect. We all harbor places where we’re out of integrity. And that’s ok – building and practicing a strong sense of integrity is a work in progress. However, if you are having serious doubts about the integrity of a potential member of your group, think twice before including them in your MasterMind.

How do you know if someone is out of integrity?

Be aware of people who seem to be always looking to get something, to be fulfilling their own agenda instead of being sensitive to the needs of other members of the group.


If you feel manipulated, on edge, or find yourself hesitating to share with the other members, take a look at why. If you don’t want to listen to someone or you just don’t believe them when they talk, there is a reason.

If someone repeatedly drains the energy and vitality of the group, instead of holding or adding to it, consider whether or not they really are a fit. Now, that said, remember this: we are all human, and the occasional challenge or disagreement can arise even amongst MasterMinders who maintain a high level of integrity and honesty with each other.

Now, that said, remember this: we are all human, and the occasional challenge or disagreement can arise even amongst MasterMinders who maintain a high level of integrity and honesty with each other.

Sometimes people’s feelings get hurt or misunderstandings occur. Be willing to cut each other some slack and address any problems immediately. As long as members are not intentionally hurtful or taking advantage of others, issues can be quickly resolved. Most problems between people are not about integrity; they’re about events, issues or chemistry. Watch for trends, not just isolated incidents, to alert you to any major integrity issues with certain members. As long as members keep their commitment to the group in mind, and are willing to be honest about any challenges or disagreements that may arise, most issues will be resolved with minimal effort and disruption.

This is from: The Magic of the MasterMind - How to Ignite the Power of People to Create Extraordinary Results and was produced by the MasterMind I belonged to for three years.