Member Mastermind Circles

Our members often tell us the greatest value they get from being part of the IABC is the opportunity to network and develop professionally, in particular, through peer-to-peer learning and the sharing of experiences.

What is a Mastermind Circle?

Mastermind Circles are peer-to-peer groups designed to help members expand their knowledge, solve their problems and leverage opportunities with input and experience-sharing from the other circle members.

Members at similar stages of their career (and with similar experience and roles) come together once a month to discuss a particular topic, idea, challenge or opportunity.

Circle members take it in turns to share their knowledge, insights, ideas and experiences relative to the topic being discussed in an effort to learn from and lean on each other for inspiration and support as they seek to build their network and develop their career.

In addition to enhancing our NSW member experience, this pilot program aligns closely with the three pillars of IABC’s purpose:

●      To advance the profession...by identifying, sharing, and ultimately applying best practice communication principles, as well as cultivating thought leadership through brainstorming and idea-sharing that fosters inspiration and innovation;

●      To create connection...between peers members wouldn’t normally get exposed to (and in turn, their respective networks), fostering sub-communities and strengthening the overall NSW community

●      And to develop strategic communicators...through the sharing of key learnings and insights, and drawing on the collective expertise of peers from across a variety of industries..

Why join a Mastermind Circle?

Peer-to-peer learning is increasingly recognised as a valuable learning experience. Mastermind circles are based on the premise that ‘the wisdom is in the room’, meaning that we can gain as much from the wisdom and experience of our peers as we can from traditional learning strategies.

Join the Member Mastermind Circles program

The program is open to all our IABC NSW members who are willing to commit to a minimum of a 1-hour session per month for 3-months.

If you would like to take part in the program, please contact a Board Member to learn about the next intake.


The Member Mastermind Circles program is an opportunity to...

  • Engage in peer-to-peer learning and support

  • Openly and actively share professional challenges, opportunities, ideas or issues you are having

  • Offer insights from your experiences in the hope they can be valuable to the Circle

  • Listen to and harness the collective wisdom in the room

  • Enhance your professional learning and career development

  • Advance your strategic thinking and develop new competencies

  • Create new connections and strengthen your professional network

The Member Mastermind Circles program is not...

  • A traditional mentor-mentee relationship

  • Passively observe from the sidelines

  • Tell others what they should or shouldn’t do

  • Shut down ideas, thinking you know best or

  • Have a drink with your mates and discuss the latest Netflix-binge

  • Get stuck in the weeds, complaining about your day

  • Pitch your services and tout for new business

Code of conduct during a Circle session

  1. Respect: encourage diversity of thought

  2. Fairness: allow everyone to speak and contribute

  3. Constructively challenge: choose ‘yes and’ vs. ‘no but’

  4. Reciprocity: Circles work on give and take

  5. Share: don’t tell

  6. Confidentiality: conversations happen under Chatham House Rules

  7. IABC spirit: Circles operate under the IABC’s Code of Conduct and Code of Ethics.

FAQ’s

How are members allocated to a Circle?

As this is a peer-to-peer program, members will be allocated to a Circle based on their career stage.

How do I know what career stage I am at?

You’ll be the best judge of this, but if you’re not sure you can refer to the IABC Career Center definitions and the associated competencies.

How many people per Mastermind Circle?

3-6 members per Circle to ensure everyone gets ample time to share their challenges and opportunities during the sessions.

How long does the Member Mastermind Circles program last?

Each intake will last for three months, with one session held each month (a total of three sessions) for a minimum of one-hour. After that, feedback will be sought from participants to determine how the program can be improved and whether they wish to continue.

Where are the sessions held?

Sessions can be held virtually or face-to-face. This is up to the members of each Circle to discuss and agree. If you have a preference, please indicate this in the Expression of Interest form.

Can we choose where to meet?

Yes, this is something for you and your Circles members to agree upon. Please note, there is no budget to pay for venues, so potential physical locations include member offices, cafes, wine bars, a park, the co-working spaces, etc.

Do I have to attend all of the meetings?

Circles work on the basis of reciprocity. We encourage anyone signing up to the program to commit to attending every month. That said, we fully understand that life and work can sometimes throw us last minute curveballs that we need to accommodate. If this happens please work with your other Circle members to find a suitable solution.

How do Mastermind Circles work?

Once you’ve been allocated to your Circle, you all agree on a time and location for your first meeting.

Prior to the meeting, members agree on a broad topic (personal or professional) for discussion - for example, a case study, a book, challenges people are facing, opportunities to be leveraged, exploration of an idea, something in the news, etc.

A facilitator is nominated to help guide the discussion, ensure everyone gets a chance to speak and to capture and share any action items.

During the meeting, each Circle member receives equal time to share their views, ideas, insights and experiences relative to the topic. The discussion takes place under Chatham House rules.

All members engage in collaborative inquiry, asking questions that are constructive and aimed at challenging perspectives, attitudes, assumptions, beliefs, as well as driving commitment and accountability.

At the end of the session there is time for reflection and consideration of what you have learned, how it applies to your own situation and experiences, and what actions or next steps you might take as a result.

Before closing the session, Circle members agree on the date, time and location for the next session, select the topic for discussion and nominate a new facilitator for that session.

Do we decide on the topics or is there a calendar of what to discuss?

We will provide a list of suggested topics to help inspire ideas, but it’s up to your Circle to nominate and agree on the topic each month.

Is this a facilitator led program?

Circle members take it in turns to facilitate a session. Every month your Circle will nominate and agree on the facilitator for the following session.

How much is the program?

The program is free - it’s included as part of your IABC NSW Membership.

Is the program open to non-IABC members?

No, the program is only available to IABC NSW Members. If you would like to take part in the program, please explore our membership options - we’d love to have you as part of our community!

I’m a member of a different IABC Chapter - can I join the Member Mastermind Circles program?

Thanks for your interest! Please reach out to our member of the NSW IABC Board to chat through further.