Mastermind Dinners: Build Lifelong Relationships by Connecting Experts, Influencers, and Linchpins Kindle Edition

This is the second review I've written on Amazon. And I've been an Amazon Prime member since the program was created. Why now? Why this book after so many many reads? Or maybe even more powerfully -- why go and *buy* the book after borrowing it in haste to read on my kindle?

Here is the tl:dr version of the review: Buy this book. Read it. Put it into practice. It will change your life for the better in so many ways.

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There are very few people who can capture the essence of a simple idea and then leverage its application to remake themselves and restart their lives. Jayson is one of those very few. His story is compelling and the methods he used to overcome a debilitating pre-midlife crisis and create a business of exceptional success and value are available to anyone willing to heed and learn.

The heart of the book is not unlike Keith Ferrazzi's "Never Eat Alone". But unlike Ferrazzi's excellent book, Jayson delivers a concise, practical formula for creating connections that is accessible to anyone who eats and happens to know more than one other human. That's a heck of a lot of people.

In the opening chapters, Jayson outlines his discovery of the power of connection and networking and tells the story of his recovery from his first, ultimately self-destructive and soul-destroying business. He then goes on to enumerate key principles of relationship building and its power. The real payday comes in the last third of the book where he outlines (in detail) his formula for creating and hosting "Mastermind" dinners.

What stands out about his approach is how selfless it is. Nowhere does Jayson say or even really imply that the value of the Mastermind dinner lies in what it can do for its host. Instead he is quite clear that when you host such an event, your only path to success lies in becoming a servant leader whose primary concern is that everyone who attends walks away with a powerful sense of value and connection to like minded people. In the same way that form follows fitness -- the benefit to you for embarking on the "Way of the Mastermind Host" lies in the value you bring to other people as they become a part of these dinners.

I am a serial entrepreneur of more than 15 years and a university professor before that. While I have grown and relied on my network of colleagues and friends for over two decades, I've never before seen such a concise and powerful idea put so elegantly. One small disclaimer -- I became aware of Jayson because his story of "recovery" from a business that was killing him was forwarded to me by a friend. He and I have messaged briefly and had one 20 minute phone chat in the last two years. So, he is an acquaintance of mine. With luck someday, I'll call him a friend... hmm... maybe I should ask him to dinner.

Jayson knows what it takes to make it in todays world & that is by providing VALUE to those around him. His story of coming from the bottom & rising back up from the lows that often come w/ the entrepreneurial journey is incredible. Dive in, take notes & don't discount this book because even though it's a short read, it's a POWERFUL & IMPACTFUL message that resonates loudly w/ those who are aware that relationships are the key to lasting business success.

Thanks Jayson! U da man & we'll see you @ the next mastermind dinner ;)

Jason Gaignard is a creative thinker who manages to be very methodical in describing and explaining the Mastermind Dinners. I discovered his book while researching a book I was writing about the various ways Napoleon Hill's mastermind concept is being used today, The Mastermind Alliance. His process is unique. By carefully selecting guests for his mastermind dinners, he provides for them opportunities to meet like-minded people with shared interests who may decide to form a mastermind alliance. Jason seeks no monetary benefit from the dinners which I found to be a refreshing departure from what would ordinarily be expected in a business venture. He is forming connections and possibly friendships with successful business people. Jason carefully describes his approach so that others can follow with their own persons of interest. I am eager to put his process into action. I highly recommend this book.
The Mastermind process is very popular but many people, I have found, become disappointed when they don't see the results they expected. There can be many reasons for that and one may simply be poor goal-setting or communication skills. Take Charge of Your Life: Dare to Pursue Your Dreams

Please don't purchase "Mastermind Dinners" thinking that it's strictly a "how to" book. Rather, this is a much more important work, centered around the "why" you should put together a dinner (or some other food-centric event) where like-minded souls can come together for conversation, connections, and the exchanging of ideas. Author/mega-connector Jayson Gairnard takes time throughout his book to delve into the various tactics and strategies he uses when organizing a connector event, but he also deep dives into the philosophy, psychology, and social skills necessary for taking a table of strangers and –– by the end of a meal –– turning all of them into friends.

This is an important book and one well worth reading, even if you have no plans to organize an event of your own.

I'm so glad I read this short book when I did. People are at the heart of business. Deeply care for people, start every new relationship with acts of giving, and good things happen in business as a result. Yet, it's easy to forget that "give you and shall receive" truth in pursuit of money, notoriety, or some vague thing called "success." It's easy to start believing in a dog-eat-dog approach to business. My hope is that Jayson's thoughtful, artful style to forming relationships starts a movement. That's a movement I want to be a part of, and to that end, I've already booked my first Mastermind Dinner.

It's becoming more clear everyday that we no longer live in an industrial economy, we live in a connection economy. The internet and all of its digital tools allow us to find and connect with anyone and everyone that wants to connect with us.

But breaking bread and sharing stories takes those digital connections to another level. Meeting in person allows us to build deeper, more meaningful, longer-lasting relationships. Jayson has mastered the art of connecting amazing people and now he's giving you the playbook.

Hosting your own Mastermind Dinners could be the best marketing investment you could make for your business and for the cost of a latte, Jayson shows you exactly how to do it. Generous information, tremendous value and priceless insight.