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What is a Mastermind Group? A Definition and tutorials

There’s a lot of interest in mastermind groups and I’m getting more requests about what a mastermind group actually is (and what it’s not). I have facilitated mastermind groups since 1994. They have profoundly shaped members’ lives and many successfully navigate their professional and personal lives because of their participation in mastermind groups.

What is a mastermind group exactly?

Mastermind groups offer a combination of brainstorming, education, peer accountability and support to sharpen your business and personal skills. A mastermind group helps you and your mastermind group members achieve success. Members challenge each other to set strong goals, and more importantly, to accomplish them.

Mastermind group facilitators start and run these groups. They help the group to dive deeply into fruitful discussions, and work with members to create success — as each member defines it. Facilitators are the secret to thriving mastermind groups. (I’ve seen plenty of groups fail because of poor leadership.)

Through the mastermind group process, first you create a goal, then design a plan to achieve it. The group helps you with creative ideas and wise decisions-making. Then, as you begin to implement your plan, you bring both success stories and problems to the group. Success stories are applauded (loudly!), and problem are solved through peer brainstorming and collective, creative thinking.

The group requires commitment, confidentiality, willingness to both give and receive advice and ideas. The group members support each other with total honesty, respect and compassion. Mastermind group members act as catalysts for growth, devil’s advocates and supportive colleagues. This is the essence and value of mastermind groups.

Each meeting has a mastermind group agenda so that conversations stay on course. The facilitator is tasked with making sure that conversations are deep and balanced, and that all mastermind group meeting agenda items are covered in the time allotted.

Want to learn how to start a mastermind group? Click here to get my free video tutorial on how to create a mastermind group of your own.

What a mastermind group is NOT

These days, many people call their event a “mastermind group,” or a “master class,” or simply a “mastermind event.” But it can be confusing when these terms are tossed around interchangeably because they’re not the same thing! Let’s clear up the confusion once and for all. Here’s my list of what a mastermind group is not.

• It’s not a class. While your group can vote to bring in guest speakers and teachers occasionally, the main focus of a mastermind group is the brainstorming and accountability support among the group members. Larger programs can include both education and masterminding, but they are two separate features.
• It’s not group coaching. Mastermind groups are about the members sharing with each other, not about the facilitator coaching individuals in a group setting. According to the Internation Coach Federation, coaches do not give advice. But in a mastermind group, everyone shares advice, ideas and feedback, including the facilitator. The key is to keep the conversation balanced among the members. Listen to my radio interview about mastermind groups and group coaching called “Beyond Group Coaching” with radio show host Christopher McAuliffe of The Coaching Show. Good news! If you are trained as a coach, you’ll use all those coaching skills as a mastermind group facilitator, plus all your teaching, mentoring and consulting skills, too.
• It’s not a mentoring group, where the members ask questions and the mentor or consultant provides all the answers while the group passively listens and learns. If the format of your group meetings is like a Q+A call, it’s not a mastermind group. In a mastermind group, both the facilitator and members mentor each other, and problem-solving and action planning are at the forefront.
• It’s not a networking group. While you may share leads and resources with each other, it is not the main focus of the meetings. However, through your connections with other members, you will find plenty of joint venture opportunities, lead sharing, and professional networking.
• Watch this short video tutorial where I discuss What’s the Difference between a Mastermind Group Facilitator, and a Coach or Consultant?

What about these “mega” mastermind groups?

You’ll see lots of people running big group mentoring programs and calling them “mastermind groups.” But are they really?

Here’s a four-part test to see if it’s really a true mastermind group, or if it’s simply a mentoring group:

1. Do they offer individual Hot Seats for each member, where you get to talk about your challenges and your plans? Watch my video: How Often Should Members Get in the Hot Seat
2. Does everyone in the group get to brainstorm together (sharing knowledge, insights and best practices), or is the focus on the mentor being the person with all the answers?
3. Is there a function for individual accountability reporting? Is there someone on the staff who is holding your feet to the fire on a consistent basis?
4. Do you meet with the same group of people, so that you get to know each other’s goals, problems and plans? Is the facilitator the same person for all meetings? This continuity is crucial and is a main component of a true mastermind group.

I have seen mega mastermind groups (200-500 members) that are true mastermind groups. They’re designed so that individuals can get personal attention and the brainstorming, problem-solving, and accountability power of the group. But it takes a lot of smart logistics (not to mention quite a few facilitators to run the Hot Seats), so not every large group program can call itself a true mastermind group.

Napoleon Hill’s definition

The concept of the “master mind alliance” was introduced by Napoleon Hill in his book from the 1920s, The Law of Success, and expanded upon in his 1930s book, Think And Grow Rich. While Napoleon Hill called it a “master mind alliance,” it’s been shortened and modernized to “mastermind group.” Mastermind groups have been around since the beginning of time. Even Benjamin Franklin belonged to such a group, which he called a Junto. But it was Napoleon Hill who explained it clearly and encouraged people to gather together in a structured, repeatable environment for the success of all. Napoleon Hill wrote about the mastermind group principle as:

“The coordination of knowledge and effort of two or more people, who work toward a definite purpose, in the spirit of harmony.”

He continues…

“No two minds ever come together without thereby creating a third, invisible intangible force, which may be likened to a third mind [the master mind].”

What you’ll get from belonging to a mastermind group

In a mastermind group, the agenda belongs to the group and each person’s participation is crucial to the success of the group as a whole. Your mastermind partners give you feedback, help you brainstorm new possibilities, and solutions to tricky problems. The facilitator sets up accountability structures that keep you focused and on track. You create a community of supportive colleagues who brainstorm together to move the members to new heights. You’ll gain tremendous insights that improve your business and personal life. Being a good mastermind group member creates massive value for you and everyone in your group.

Your mastermind group is like having an objective board of directors, a success team, and a peer advisory group — all rolled into one. Whether you find an existing mastermind group to join, or start a group of your own, you’ll love what this group process can help you accomplish. Learn about our classes at the Mastermind Group Academy, or sign up for my free video tutorial below.

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