Wealthy Affiliate Mentoring Groups Ground Rules

37
5.6K followers
Updated

Hi, Everyone...

I am posting some general suggested ground rules for the groups we will start putting together using foundational posts by subject, market segment, or niche.

The foundational posts will be where you can add a note to document your interest in joining a group.

In this post, I just want to add some basic starting points for group formation that members will want to consider.

I will add an additional post on being a group leader or a participant as well.

How This Post Helps Mentoring Groups

The intent is to get people up to speed on some basic guidelines I suggest for groups so they can be effective and useful for members.

For the most part, all the rules we live by as members of Wealthy Affiliate apply. That is clear.

Beyond these, there are some ways that you can make sure the groups you are part of help you without hindering access to the training and lessons we already have.

The intent of the mentoring and support groups is to help you do more in the same time that you are alloting to online business activities.

The support that can be provided to members of groups will help you do just that if the groups are set up properly and run effectively.

Suggested Ground Rules

To make sure that all potential members understand how the groups are intended to operate for the marketing segments or the niches I am posting some basic tenets for us to start out with.

These may change as time goes on and we see what works and what does not, but we do need a starting point which these provide…

(1) OWNERSHIP OF THE RULES.

As this is an entirely voluntary activity we are all agreeing to enter into in the interest of furthering our online businesses, the rules obviously cannot be enforced through any system in place at the moment.

Therefore it will be important that people here understand the basics about the groups we are setting up to get the most out of the program and also make them as effective for other members as well. We want the groups to be wins for all…

(2) HONESTY.

From my experience, one of the most basic but important factors for successful groups is having an open and trustworthy environment. Truthfulness is one of the factors that can promote the trustworthy sense for the group. But remember that tempering your truthfulness with the use of tact also goes a long ways in keeping a group working together effectively.

(3) PERSONAL CONFLICTS.

I am sure that you have been members of organizations where you had a mix of people with different backgrounds and experiences. There will be those people that you get along with naturally, some you may tolerate, and some that you simply cannot see eye to eye with at all.

With groups it is the same, and much like in your professional life, you do not have to like everyone. You learn how to resolve conflicts and work around them to make the group effective no matter if you like someone or not.

Managing this dynamic is going to teach you a lot about life in general and business too. You do not want this to get in the way of progressing as whole or individually in any setting...

(4) PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY.

As a group member, you realize that you are making a commitment and an affirmation that you will participate in group activities to help all succeed faster and to a larger degree than otherwise possible. All group members feel this way and as a group, they have a collective responsibility to make the group work.

(5) LISTENING SKILLS.

It is very important to develop and practice good listening skills and this applies to all group members. Every voice within the group has a right to be heard and considered, and points of view expressed so they can be discussed.

(6) PARTICIPATION.

In order for the group concept to be successful, all members must actively participate. The success of groups lies in the synergy created when members collectively work together for an agreed set of goals.

When all are able to express their views and are heard by other members, it means that new ideas or solutions can be brought up. Everyone’s opinion is valued. Decisions are made based on conclusions and members then agree to move forward as one…

(7) WORKLOAD.

There will be tasks that need to be done within every group. Members need to be willing to step up and take on one or more as they may feel comfortable with and contribute to the whole. The whole means advancing the effectiveness of everyone’s online efforts in this case. Each member must be ready to build on the consensus that the group decides on.

(8) WORK TO PEOPLE’S STRENGTHS.

It is a plain and simple fact that people have different skill sets. Some people will know how to do things others do not. This is a good thing in that group tasks can be distributed to the people by their skill set. Each according to their experience and expertise level is a good way forward. Other members can learn by watching and supporting.

(9) WORK TO PEOPLE’S WEAKNESSES.

Of course the idea is that all members will develop their skill set to become better online marketers or more effective at the craft they are focusing on with the group. This means stretching the comfort zones once in a while to try new things and learn new things. There will be some developmental tasks that members can learn new things from. Embrace that and remember, this is a safe environment to try new things…

(10) KEEP RECORDS.

It is really hard to decide if you are making progress unless you see where you are and where you have been. Some kind of system needs to document the journey of the group. This way, successes can be communicated within and outside the group as appropriate.

You can use notes, meeting notes, simple and informal reports, blog posts, etc. You will then have the evidence that you are getting things done and can see where additional emphasis needs to be placed. Responsibility for this can be rotated and added as a group task

(11) BE RESULTS ORIENTED.

You can let yourself down, but you do not want to let down the group. Others are counting on you to follow through with assigned and agreed to tasks. Do not let them down if at all possible. This is really yet another strength of the group setting. It forces you to think of the whole as opposed to just yourself.

(12) THINK OF THE BIG PICTURE.

Sometimes you do things for the good of the whole, making your needs subordinate to the group needs. This helps develop you as a person and also when you see this happening it is rewarding – let the member know when you see this type of behavior.

(13) GET CREATIVE.

Promote and support openness within the group so new ideas and ways to solve problems are bandied about freely. Of course there has to be some semblance of order or a group is just a gaggle of people, but allow and promote creative thinking…A balance of order and working together along with the openness to new ideas will make the group much more effective.

(14) ESTABLISH A ROUTINE.

It helps if there is some basic framework for the group to operate within. Things like writing patterns, meeting days and times, conducting routine tasks and assignments, meeting procedures, etc. will all help the group quickly get to the meat of the purpose the group is a group. Groups that have some sort of routine are much more effective.

(15) CONDUCT AFTER ACTION REVIEWS.

The group is a dynamic entity. It will evolve over time as members get familiar with one another, routines are implemented, and goals and deliverables established. Effective groups will take the time to regularly review what they have done, what they are doing, and what they need to do. This may mean that changes as to how the group works together are implemented. This is a good thing. It helps keep the group dynamic and productive…

Bottom Line

So there you have it...Some ideas of basic rules to guide you as we start putting together groups for the different subject areas...

What are your thoughts, please and is there anything that is not included that needs to be added, or perhaps something there that does not need to be?

Let me know below and the next post will cover group leaders and member roles. I think then we are ready to start with the foundational posts and start forming up into groups...

Remember, I believe in ALL of you!

Cheers!

Dave : )


Login
Create Your Free Wealthy Affiliate Account Today!
icon
4-Steps to Success Class
icon
One Profit Ready Website
icon
Market Research & Analysis Tools
icon
Millionaire Mentorship
icon
Core “Business Start Up” Training

Recent Comments

35

I totally love the creativity aspect. But I'm also thinking just from a project management perspective - goals of the group should eventually be identifiable, manageable, and reasonable. Thank you so much for the spectacular job you have done with this!

You are more than welcome and I am getting this together...I am catching up on the comments from the earlier posts on groups now, even as I add names to the subjects, niches, and segments we are forming groups for...

Cheers!
Dave : )

It appears you have had experience in either planning or attending a lot of board meetings in previous work.

Ground rules are a must when dealing with groups whether big or small. We are all on the same page and must conduct ourselves accordingly.

Your guidelines are very well done! Excellent job Dave!

I do have an issue to bring up that has not been mentioned. That is what is the TIME frame you are looking at? Mornings, afternoons, evenings, weekends, once a week?

Myself I work full time and not available until the evenings and weekends.

I am sure you will have that sorted out within time.

Looking forward to this group mentoring!

Barb





Hi, Barb...

You bring up a good question. I deal with this every day, as we have people scattered from Taipei to Germany with the activities I am involved in...

It can be a challenge, but through working together and using some of the tools out there such as Skype, cloud storage, team sharing sites, etc. we make it work...

I am thinking that this will be the same for the groups...There will be some members that may be in the same area and they can work together closely for some activities, and maybe the recording and posting of video meeting sessions will help, and etc.

This is what we are doing now in our businesses...

Cheers!
Dave : )

Great guidelines Dave, I look forward to participating as much as is possible. It is very nice of you to offer to help others and I agree with you that groups are a good way to build cohesiveness amongst a larger number of people.

I hope everyone that wants to be involved can be.

Alex

Supr, Alex! : )

This is what we all need, Team Work. It is hard for anyone to beat a champion. however a quality team will outdo a champion. I have an opinion. You have an opinion. Put them together and We have a better opinion.

Thank you all for your time, Tom Short.

Hi, Tom, sorry so long to get back to you on this comment, I have been pretty engaged keeping up with all the additions to the group lists...This is rolling and will work! Cheers! Dave : )

I've read over your post and suggested rules Dave and they look very good to me. - Shirley

Thanks, Shirley...We are actively adding names to groups now. If you will look at the latest post I have made you can see it is getting some good traction! Cheers! Dave : )

Most helpful, thank you Dave, now we can all prepare. :)

Absolutely! Cheers and most welcome! Dave : )

First off - The Best for the New Year.

I just finished reading all the comments below, quite the range of views, should make for a very interesting group.;o) With your BIO and WA Rank at 8 this should be a very educational Mentoring Group.

Hi, Bill...

This is coming together and it will be a good option for many members who could use some one-on-one work to further their online business efforts...

Right now we have ten main subject areas and over thirty niches that members are signing up for. The next steps will be to start grouping members together and then have them start...

Cheers!
Dave : )

Although I am not part of your mentoring group, Dave, I so appreciate your dedication to take on this additional role. This is truly a selfless act and truly reflects the heart of Wealthy Affiliate. Thank you!

Hi, Veronica and Happy New Year! Thanks for the kind words...The intent is that it will be a self-regulating program...

The basic fundamentals will be added and then people can take the opportunity to wherever they wish...

I like to see people fly high, and this is just one more way we can make that happen faster and perhaps more effectively...

Let's see! The worst that can happen is it does not work (although I do not see that outcome happening - I am thinking that there will be some people that are helped)...

Cheers!
Dave : )

Ditto

With your wisdom, insight, and genuineness, Dave, I would be surprised if it wasn't successful!

A Wonderful New Year to You as well, Dave!

Hmmm... makes me think. Where is the WA "community" heading?

So are we now fracturing the WA membership into groups, tribes, associations through self-identification with particular subjects, ideas, etc?

With 500,000 + members, it's unlikely that everyone's needs will be met, just by going through the Certification, Bootcamp, and even with the interaction through posts and Live Chat. I'm a firm believer that there's always a better way to do something...always!

Just my thoughts, but I think that the different "groups, tribes, associations" can be formed to enhance the overall well-being of the community.

I really commend those who had the idea and decided to take action to form these groups. It's not an easy task, and I really do believe that it supports and fosters the Wealthy affiliate code of "pay it forward".

I do not think this effort is any attempt to create division within the community. This is being presented as an opportunity to get involved in something meant to be good, and is open to anyone who is interested.

This is not the first time groups have been encouraged to take part in something. Kyle & Carson themselves first initiated an upgrade, what was then known as the WA Article Clubs - wherein interested members had to apply and be accepted into. This effort was the fore-runner of the Certification Course we now have.

I see this no different than what Jay does - has stepped up and offered video-based training classes wherein not everybody takes part in.

Really, I do not see anything amiss with the efforts in question here, and in fact, today is the first time I looked into this, having first seen this in the makings in my email notifications but did not pursue it then.

I see this as astounding! Dave's efforts here should be commended as he had an idea, thought it through and implemented it outright. If this isn't the work of an entrepreneur, I don't know what is. It certainly is not meant to create any sort of top cat clubs of any kind within the community, and am thinking seriously about this, whether or not I would be fit for this. If so, I'm in, because I recognize the need of myself and see it for the good that it is, not of any misshapen intent.

I would have thought that something like this would have come up a long time ago here. Groups like this are not uncommon amongst business settings. The one thing that is missing here is exactly the reason for these type groups - commitment. Some of us can get by without such aids, but most of us cannot. Is it any wonder that only about 4% succeed in anything that requires commitment and mastery, not just here, but everywhere?

Well, with someone who has been around the platform since 2010, Daniel, I'm sure a lot of what me may dub as "new" is something you have already seen before.

You made some great points and I totally agree with you. From what I have seen, it's all meant to foster growth, not stunt it. Also, I'm quite certain that if there was any "foul play" involved, Kyle and Carson would pull the plug immediately!

I read about Dave's mentor group, but I think I got distracted with something else. Then, Bo Tipton announced his "bombshell" so I decided to take advantage of his group.

This is in no way intended to fracture the community, Glen...This is an additional tool that we can use to further leverage the training and community that is here...

Perhaps individual effort is a path that many will want to pursue, and that is fine. That is the way that has been in place for years and it works for many...

Not for all though...

This group program is voluntary and only those that are interested in taking advantage of the power that groups offer for subjects, niches, or market segments they are interested in..

I was a member of the US Army for 25 years and we did a lot of group activities. From squad level to focus groups for job specialties, groups were used all the time...

Far from breaking up the cohesiveness of the Army, it helped the missions get accomplished in the most efficient manner. This proved itself 100s of times in my years as an active member...

On the outside, it has been the same. I have participated in groups for losing weight, self-development, skill-training, marketing, etc.

In grade schools, college level, and post-graduate work, and in most educational settings they are particularly effective...

They simply work...As long as there are some guidelines...

I appreciate your opinion, but most certainly this is something that is offered up to help people, not to take them away from Wealthy Affiliate or to promote dissension...

Lastly, this is voluntary...Of course, to make it something of value, certain parameters have to be in place, just as we have here within the community...

My hope would be that the groups share their experiences with the rest of the community, their successes and findings, and we all can progress faster with our online businesses...

Let's see...

Cheers!
Dave : )

It seems, if memory serves me right, that there were brainstorming groups on here at one time. I may be confusing it with a different place, but you may remember there were groups outside WA set up by members where open discussions took place and they offered the commenting ideals that are now a part of WA's system today. I believe WA's version was an independent venture apart from those early attempts on Google+, but yes, I would dare say that this is not new, but this is certainly unique in its own way and fresh. I also believe that it has tremendous potential.

I need to look into this further. I am now in the middle of moving to a new location, but one of the things that comes with this move is the leaving behind of many, many things that have hindered my growth in business, and in a much better environment, far more suited for my business needs.

This effort may very well be the icing on the cake I have been needing.

Hi GlenPalo,

I think the WA community should head toward continuously coming up with ideas and programs to help its members to achieve better results.

We should be simply open and appreciate anything which has a good intention.

Beside the most powerful models are for sure Mentorship and Masterminds.

After all it is certainly better than nothing at all.

Frankly I think there should be more people like Dave and Bo Tipton available to come up with ideas and support to help members more closely.

Please feel free to explain better your concerns if you desire so.

Cheers :)

Most excellent Dave, very good foundation and guidelines! :-)

Thanks, Bob...More to come and the big test will be once groups get rolling...I will be standing by to offer assistance as needed! Cheers! Dave : )

Nice! I'd be very interested in participating. :-)

See more comments

Login
Create Your Free Wealthy Affiliate Account Today!
icon
4-Steps to Success Class
icon
One Profit Ready Website
icon
Market Research & Analysis Tools
icon
Millionaire Mentorship
icon
Core “Business Start Up” Training