A Clear Purpose and Harmony

Around the world, people have been glued to the news, watching progress on the cave rescue in Thailand and daring to hope. For more than two weeks, twelve boys and their soccer coach were trapped in a flooded cave in the Chiang Rai province. We all celebrated when they were rescued from the cave a few days ago, alive and well.

We are glad the young lives were saved and that is a big part of the collective sense of gratitude. But there is another element to this story that has captured our attention. This rescue is proof of what can be accomplished when people with a clear purpose work together in harmony.

The rescue seemed close to impossible. The pitch-black caverns were already flooded, and since it was monsoon season, they were in constant danger of flooding more. The children in need of rescue did not know how to swim, never mind dive. The rescue divers struggled to find a safe route through the murky water.

But the central purpose was clear to everyone--bring the children and their coach to safety. It took 110 Thai Navy SEALs, hundreds of soldiers, and other volunteers from several countries to accomplish that goal. Problems were identified and collectively solved, drawing on resources from around the world. Saman Kunan, a former Thai Navy SEAL lost his life, while helping with the rescue. The team continued in spite of their sadness and concerns about the risks.

The rescue succeeded because of the range of expertise. Highly experienced cave divers came from Britain. The child-sized diving masks were provided by France. A doctor with cave diving experience came from Australia to help with medical concerns. These are only a few of the experts involved.

During the rescue, people forgot about politics and other concerns that might have keep them apart. Everyone involved worked in harmony. If they were able to help, they did.

The Mastermind Principle

As all of this was unfolding, I was participating in leadership training offered by The Napoleon Hill Foundation. A key element of this training is the Mastermind principle. According to this principle, when a group of people get together with a clear purpose and work in harmony, they can make even the impossible happen. We couldn't find stronger proof of this principle than the Thailand cave rescue.

It's a principle with universal application and we don't have to wait for an emergency to use it. People are meant to work together in harmony and accomplish things that matter. The impossible can be made possible and not only in Thailand. Any one of us can start a mastermind alliance to tap into the experience, training, education and specialized knowledge of a diverse group of people. With a common purpose, every person is motivated to contribute with enthusiasm and imagination. The combined power is nothing short of spiritual.

How to Start a Mastermind Alliance

 It only takes four steps to start a mastermind alliance:

1. Set a clear purpose. To keep it simple, focus on the most important outcome, and don't worry about how that will be achieved. Leave solutions to the masterminds. It's what they are for.
   
   
2. Invite people who share that purpose to be part of the alliance. A Mastermind alliance goes beyond conventional structures. It allows you to draw on expertise outside of your normal work group. Sometimes it's enough to share the purpose. When you do, people who can help often volunteer.
   
   
3. Plan how the group will work together. Communication is key. How often will the alliance meet? How will members be kept up-to-date? An open policy on communication fosters harmony.

4. Select a leader who can help everyone stay focused on the purpose and who will foster harmony. Great leaders love being part of a mastermind alliance. It's what they have trained for.

Call to Action:

1. What is the most important thing you would like to accomplish now?

2. How can you form a mastermind alliance to make that happen?

"First comes thought; then organization of that thought into ideas and plans; then transformation of those plans into reality. The beginning, as you will observe, is in your imagination." – Napoleon Hill

It starts with you. You've got this!

Your friends,

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