| Now you may ask, "Where is the link?" | | | | often overlooked or underplayed. Without |
| How could chimpanzees and mastermind | | | | it, one could not hope to survive in the |
| groups possibly be linked to each other? | | | | rough and tumble of the business world. |
| And how are they supposed to influence | | | | It is the means by which success is |
| you? Before I attempt to answer the | | | | achieved, usually in a win-win scenario. |
| question though, allow me to share with | | | | For you to implement the power of |
| you a little background on the | | | | masterminding into your business in |
| behavioral nature of chimpanzees. | | | | order to succeed, you need to be like |
| In a study conducted at the Ngamba | | | | the chimpanzees, that is, to know how to |
| Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary in Uganda, | | | | collaborate with others to serve your |
| chimpanzees were required to pull two | | | | needs and how to be a good collaborator |
| ends of a rope which dragged a tray of | | | | in order to have people flocking to you |
| food towards them. Both ends of the rope | | | | the next time round. |
| had to be pulled at the same time or the | | | | In order for you to master the skills of |
| rope would simply be pulled out. It was | | | | collaboration, you need to know your |
| observed that the chimpanzees only | | | | objective, your end-point, where you |
| allowed a partner into the room (by | | | | want your business to be within a |
| opening their door) when the ends of the | | | | specific timeframe, then go and work on |
| rope were too far apart for them to pull | | | | it. Without the goal, success is usually |
| on their own. Also, an interesting fact | | | | never in sight. Once you have drawn up |
| to note is that during the second round | | | | your objective, recognize what you need |
| of experiments, the chimpanzees | | | | and select the person whose expertise |
| unanimously selected the more effective | | | | offered best suits them. As seen in the |
| partner to help them pull the rope. | | | | case of the study on the chimpanzees, it |
| What does this study tell us about | | | | is vital to find the right person |
| chimpanzees? It tells us that | | | | otherwise the effort will all be in |
| chimpanzees are smart animals. They | | | | vain. |
| realise when they needed help in order | | | | How do you arrive at this juncture then? |
| to help them achieve their objective | | | | Well, you need to be able to muster your |
| (which is to get hold of the food) as | | | | courage and ask. Do not allow your ego |
| well as the fact that they needed to go | | | | to take over and most important of all, |
| out there and ask for that help. They | | | | do not be afraid to ask. You never know |
| understood why and how they needed their | | | | what the outcome will be unless you |
| partners and went about seeking partners | | | | actually allow the other party to learn |
| for that sole purpose. Hence, we | | | | of your intention. Speak up. Convey your |
| gathered that chimpanzees knew their | | | | thoughts with clarity and purpose. |
| roles, that of their partners and | | | | Explain to that person exactly what you |
| therefore went about choosing who they | | | | need and why you think he/she is able to |
| wanted to work with. | | | | plug the gap and be the final piece of |
| The last characteristic is the most | | | | the jigsaw. Be polite and not be too |
| powerful of them all and is what we | | | | expectant. The other party has the right |
| would like to highlight today. During | | | | to turn you down. In that case, thank |
| the first round of the experiment, the | | | | the person for his/her time and continue |
| chimpanzees already noted who the weaker | | | | your search. Do not be discouraged. |
| partner was and remembered him. Hence | | | | However, should that person turn out to |
| during the second round, that chimpanzee | | | | be the one, you are looking at a |
| was not selected again. Instead, the | | | | potentially great partnership which |
| chimpanzees selected the more effective | | | | could serve you and your business well |
| one to help them achieve their aims. The | | | | for years to come! |
| basic term used to describe it all is | | | | With that, I hope that the relationship |
| "collaboration". It is the single most | | | | between chimpanzees and mastermind |
| powerful tool in the principle of | | | | groups has truly given you an insight |
| masterminding and is what we would like | | | | into the power of collaboration and that |
| to emphasis here. | | | | you will make use of it in your business |
| Collaboration is a very powerful | | | | through the power of masterminding to |
| business building strategy, yet, it is | | | | bring you even more success! |