Three Minds Are Better Than One

1 + 1 = 3. Your mind (1) plus another’s mind (1) equals a third mind (3). Picture yourself as a harp or a violin with a luscious expression of its own. Another’s instrument is a concert piano with a distinctive, yet complementary tone that can sing beautifully by itself. However, combine these two voices (or minds) and you create a wholly unique combination that is a beautiful medley of thoughts, ideas, feelings, and power.

A partnership of two people creates a third entity that allows for much more to be accomplished than each person going it alone. As an entrepreneur, I tend to spend a lot of time alone. I don’t necessarily have coworkers or team members to bounce ideas off of, much less to support me through the process of creation, development, growth, and success – unless I seek it out. While there is great beauty in a solo, there is something incredible available when multiple minds and voices are blended in a duet, trio, or ensemble.

Since the dawn of man, people have collaborated to share ideas, nurture and support one another, and to develop, innovate, and build. We know from first-hand experience how beneficial a team can be for brainstorming, defining goals, providing accountability, and generating and sustaining positive energy toward shared aims.

In his landmark book, Think and Grow Rich, Napoleon Hill goes so far as to say that real, lasting success is not possible without others. That is why he recommended the creation of MasterMind groups to provide that support, structure, and energy that is essential to achieving each member’s goals and dreams.

Putting this into action, two fellow coaches and I have formed a collaborative we’re calling The Power of Three, highlighting the idea that three is a magic number (à la Schoolhouse Rock). On a weekly basis, we will come together to incubate ideas, exchange positive energy, and provide nurturing and support for our endeavors. As an outcome of our brainstorming and collaboration, we will develop weekly pieces for our blogs with the commitment to inspire, connect, educate, and entertain. Each will take the exquisite harmony we create together and render a composition that best resonates for our unique instruments.



In our first weekly session, we defined our shared values and objectives, and outlined what the power of three really means to us. The instigator of our collaborative, Clint Griess, captured the spirit and substance of that first call in his blog entry, titled “The Power of Three: Building Alliances that Last.” The second voice of our trio is Starla King, whose Word Stew is a delightful concoction of poetry, character, and insight.

Applying my initial equation to our trio, you get:

Mind 1: Judah (J)
Mind 2: Clint (C)
Mind 3: Starla (S)
Mind 4: J + C
Mind 5: J + S
Mind 6: C + S
Mind 7: J + C + S

Now, aren’t seven minds better than one?