B (5:46)

Yeah, I wanted to share also a little bit of my experience because I was also in YEO many years ago and I remember going in and thinking everybody is so successful in this group. And I, I just, I think it was like 28 or something and I thought everybody had their masters of Business mba. I literally went in and thought every single person here has their mba. And after the first meeting I realized nobody had their mba. It was so, it was so refreshing for me and it was such a relief because it was the first time I realized that as an entrepreneur, as a driven person, you actually didn't have to have your MBA to be successful. Which was something I was walking around with was six, six years previously. It was this thing that got in my head at some point and so, you know, EO started, which it's now, as Gino mentioned, is now called eo that started to open me up to be a bit more vulnerable. But I have to say I had my armor up for many years. I still was pasturing and still showing more success than was really there. Which I think for those of you driven people out there are listening, maybe you can relate to that on some level. After I sold my business, I found a community that's still very important to me, the small giants community. And I found that to be a group of like super authentic people that really cared for the totality of their employees lives and really purpose driven leaders. So you know, that's what happened with me. I'm now excited to be running this mastermind with Gino again. This sounds like a commercial, but it really isn't. It's coming from our hearts and to be able to facilitate that through what we learned in these groups and then how we could do some things a little bit differently based on the content that we've written about in Shine and Teach. A thought that comes up for me, Gino, is how do you find what's right for you? If you're looking for your community, what are some of the things that you're thinking about at different times in your life? I know You've been in some groups that maybe didn't work so great for you. And I have as well where I kind of tried it out and said, this group isn't for me. This community doesn't click.

A (8:08)

Yeah, well, a couple thoughts. First, I want to go back to something you said because you reminded me of something really funny. At least you'll be the judge of this out there. But When I joined Yeo, I was one of the original 10 members in the Detroit chapter, now known as EO. Same thing. I went into that very intimidated, very insecure. I thought I was going to be surrounded by these people that just knew so much more than I did. And I was about six to 12 months in and I have my aha moment where I looked around that table at those 11 set of eyeballs and I said, wow, these guys are as fucked up as I am. So it was just so beautiful to realize we are all just trying to figure it out. And so if any way you are nervous about joining a peer group because you feel that way, it's not so and so with that aha. Quite frankly, that's how EOS was born. Because that was my AHA and saying, wow, I know how to help these people. I'm going to spend the rest of my life helping them. Helping these people. That's secondary to the AHA that we're all trying to figure it out. And most of us have these facades that look like we've got it all figured out because that's what we need to put on for the world. And it's just not so and so. Now to get to your question, you know, how do you find a group? What is the right group? I have been blessed that, you know, I haven't. Maybe I got in one group. What really happens for me is I just outgrow them. And that sounds terrible, but I have such a strong belief that I teach everybody that will listen is that you will outgrow your peer groups, you will outgrow your mentors, you will outgrow in most cases. So for me, I just simply outgrew some of those groups. So it's not like it was the wrong group, it was the right group at the time, but I just outgrew it. And again, no discredit to anyone. So when looking for a group of peers, you know, again, I use the term like minded. I look at it as think about where you want to be and surround yourself with people that are where you want to be or are going where you want to go. And Whatever those words are that fill in that blank, that group exists. And if you can't find it, create it. Go find four people and start a group of five. It'll be a beautiful thing. So just start with that. Where do you want to be? And then just find those like minded people.

B (10:37)

Yeah, that's good advice. I like that. You know, I was thinking about the trajectory too. You know, when I, as I mentioned, when I got into eo, it was very surface level, very business oriented. But then I started to notice a shift where we started talking about some things that were going on in our personal life. You know, could be an issue with one of our kids or, you know, a family member, whatever it might be. And then what I started to notice is it evolved into some, you know, more deeper discussions about our own stuff. And, you know, that for me was where I was like, this is what I actually really need. This is. I need a group of people that was just me, you know, so there are groups out there that can go beyond just the business surface, but there's also groups that are fully focused on maximizing success within your business. Just find the one that makes sense for you. You know, you mentioned there are people that go at it completely alone. And that just like stirred my brain a little because when I was preparing, I kind of had this feeling like, God, everybody really should find their group. I mean, there's got to be a group for everybody. And you've had so many sessions with so many leaders and talked to so many people. What is the difference there? For somebody who's just very I. Strong isn't the right word. Just independent. Not feeling like I need a community. I got it. I can figure this out.

A (12:07)

Yeah, I mean, I mean, I'll use me as an example because, you know, I'm pretty rebellious and, you know, I got to a place where I didn't feel like I needed a peer group per se, that goes that deep. I had that all through my 20s, all through my 30s. And again, strategic Coach is one of my peer groups and that's focused on something different. There's 50 of us in a room, so it's not as intimate. I found that I didn't need the accountability because I'm able to hold myself accountable. So for me, I just didn't. I'm not craving that level of intimacy because I have it in so many places in my life that I don't need it in a peer group. So I don't think, you know, I really believe that there are some people walking the Earth. I don't know what percentage, but they just don't need it. In other words, they're going to be fine doing it on their own. It's like the research I did on successful entrepreneurs that have had a mentor and not had a mentor. And it's like 50, 50. And the ones that didn't have a mentor were pretty successful. So it's not like you're going to fail if you don't have a peer group. It's just if you are seeking that, if that's something that's important to you, if you feel like that's something that's going to, you know, give you that advantage and help your growth, then that's for you. And if it's not, I don't think it's for everybody. My two cents, and I'm willing to be wrong on that.

B (13:33)

No, I think that's your scientific study on humility. What do I say on mentors, having a mentor? Well, you know, one of the things when I was thinking about community for. For whatever it's worth for anybody listening, is if you have a group of people that you are feeling comfortable enough to be fully authentic, fully your true self, or working towards becoming your true self. You know, I'm noticing a lot of benefits in that, and I've noticed that for my own self. You know, because you start to see who you really are, it gets deeper because they project back to you or they reflect back to you. Excuse me. And there's a sense of accountability there. I mean, I think if you have a group of people who are gentle, but maybe then there's a couple people who are kind of strong and just calling you out. I think there's something really special about that. Maybe you can even find it on your leadership team. I don't know. So, anyway, that's all I have to say about that. Gino, what else is coming up for you on this topic? Anything before we close it out?

A (14:38)

Rob, We've said it all, my friend. We've said it all.

B (14:40)

I love when you say that. I feel at peace when you do. Well, everyone, thanks again for joining us and we'll see you next time. As always, stay focused and much love.

A (14:50)

Thank you for listening in today. We truly appreciate you taking the time to spend with us, and please tune in for the next episode. Until then, we wish you all the best in freeing your true self. Stay focused and much love.