Comradery
COMRADERY AND FRIENDSHIP
While we are all focused on our careers and professional success, we also bond and create great friendships. It’s an inevitable part of being on a team like this.
These friendships are unique in that there is a high level of trust and confidentiality in how we operate with one another. And we have the larger context of thriving together as a team, which is much larger than any individual friendship.
The bonding goes very deep.
FOR MEN
The first meeting we had over 14 years ago just happened to be all men and while that wasn’t our original intention, we decided we’d keep it that way.
We have found that an all-male team creates an environment where we can be intimate, comfortable and even vulnerable in sharing certain details that we may not be as comfortable sharing in a mixed environment. While always respectful of one another, we don’t have to be overly concerned with accidentally saying the wrong thing or the hyper political correctness which seems to have become so prevalent in today’s society.
In today’s day and age there are many women focused groups, workshops and movements. We fully applaud that and we consider ourselves to be a stand for the continued empowerment of women worldwide. Many of the team members are married with children. But we feel it’s a good idea for the men to have some time to themselves as well.
TRUST AND CONFIDENTIALITY
It is not uncommon that members will share intimate, sensitive details about their lives, regarding both personal and professional matters. Having an environment where we can feel safe and comfortable doing that is absolutely critical. Knowing that we are also in a judgement free space makes it much easier for dialogue to flow smoothly and allows the collective mastermind to truly flourish.
VETTING PROCESS
While we are always excited about bringing new members to the team, we are very selective with who we invite to run with us. This is done without arrogance or attitude. We simply understand how important it is to have the right players in our orbit.
Bringing in a mindset or disposition that does not match our culture can hurt the team. Bringing in the right disposition and mindset catapults the team to ever higher levels.
LONGEVITY
The VIP Mastermind has been in existence for over 14 years with several of the original members still on the team, and other members who have been with us anywhere from 6 months to 11 years. It is extremely rare for a mastermind to stay together for this long and the team continues to grow with members of all ages and backgrounds. This speaks to the quality of experience our members receive from this amazing team, as well as the quality of the members themselves.
Annual Brunch and Power Walk
Each year in the beginning of Spring when the flowers are in bloom, we have a Brunch and Power Walk event. We'll meet for a nice brunch and then go for a brisk walk around Central Park or on the Hudson River in New York City.
It’s a great way to bring in the Spring Season which is always so full of possibility, and breathe in the fresh air. It’s super healthy and a great opportunity to relax and unwind. Aside from being lots of fun, sometimes the best ideas or collaborations come up in this environment – when we’re not even trying.
Annual Dinner Cruise
This has been a tradition with The VIP for over a decade. Each summer (the last 2 years were obviously an exception – but will revisit next year) we get out on an evening dinner cruise and take a spin around New York Harbor. We get a close up of Lady Liberty and some of the cruises have been known to get a bit libacious.
Simply put, they’re a blast!
VIP Getaway
This year we had our first VIP Mastermind out of country full on getaway. We went to The Dominican Republic. A 4-day weekend trip where we recharged for several days in a tropical paradise. It was a great setting to brainstorm and collaborate. But we will also put aside plenty of time just to hang and have fun!
Care to join us next time?
Team Member Meetups
Team members also get together offline at times on their own accord either in person or virtually to work on side projects or simply to hangout. Sometimes 1 on 1 and sometimes in small groups. If you have great people in your sphere, why not spend some time with them?
