Should a Mastermind Group Be Industry Specific Or Not?

Guest Contributor: Julia Wert-Marrocco
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Many MasterMind groups are composed of people in the same industry: speakers, authors, real estate brokers,insurance agents, coaches, you name it. These MasterMind Groups are generally formed out of a large industry-specific gathering, (such as a convention). Sometimes they spring up from big organizations because someone with leadership qualities decides they want a small group for accountability, brainstorming, and support. Sometimes people organically get together and create their own group. Sometimes the large organization structures, oversees and/or sponsors the group. This certainly follows the "singleness of purpose" concept written in Napoleon Hill's books. I have facilitated a number of these groups and the results can be phenomenal. When all the members have a deep understanding of the industry, the sharing of ideas can be at a very deep level, and accountability can be intense. I have seen amazing breakthroughs in this kind of group.

On the other hand, a group with a variety of expertise from different industries, can be one of the most exciting groups you will ever experience.

I currently facilitate a group of 12 members, all in different businesses, all with different goals and needs. It meets twice a month on the telephone. It might as well be called the Diversity MasterMind group. The youngest member is 23 and the eldest is 60-something. The group consists of people in banking, show business, politics, real estate, sustainability consulting, physical training, professional speaking, graphic design, sportscasting, music, international development, entrepreneurial investments, you name it. This group is one of the top two best MasterMind groups I have ever been affiliated with over the years. What makes it work is the variety of ideas and thought patterns, and the potpourri of industry experience. There is no getting "stuck" with "what used to work" in this group! It is all about "Have you ever thought of........." and "In our industry we sometimes.........maybe a variation on that would be an idea". This group goes wide with ideas and has no limits.

When you are choosing a group, think about whether you would rather have:

Industry-specific: narrower and deeper.
Or:
Varied industries: wider with no limits.

Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, and Harvey Firestone were not in the same businesses, yet they contributed to each other, and supported each other, thereby going down in history as the greatest men in their field.

There is no rule about which type of group you should be in. It is your choice. Maybe you will choose one of each! The main thing to remember is to be able to contribute and to be willing to receive. Above all, harmony is the nucleus, as Dr. Hill states in "Magic Ladder to Success"

To your MasterMinding success,

Coach Julia