What's the difference between a Mastermind Group and Group Coaching?

Guest Contributor: Julia Wert-Marrocco
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I often get asked "If I join a Mastermind Group don't I eliminate my need for coaching?"

That depends. In some instances, if the Group is strictly a business peer group with a paid facilitator who is a certified coach, my answer might be "Yes". For instance, there are fee-based CEO groups that meet twice a month for 1/2 day (or full day). These meetings cover common business matters in a group-coaching environment, and sometimes the membership fee includes a separate private sessions with the facilitator/coach as part of the membership.

The amount of Masterminding within a group setting like this will vary: some of these groups bring speakers in for the session, therefore the actual masterminding may be minimal. These groups are usually a hybrid of group coaching/private coaching, and teaching forum. My suggestion is: if you already pay to belong to one of these groups (some of them are very expensive): utilize the other members in between meetings to mastermind on your own, not necessarily in a formalized setting, but with emails, phone chats, coffee or lunch, to maximize your ROI. This way you are getting coaching, learning, and Masterminding all out of one group. I have had many members of these kinds of groups also coach privately with me because either the quality, the quantity, or the agenda of the "coaching" was not adequate to deliver their true private coaching needs. (In a true coaching model, the client sets the agenda. In these groups, the coach usually brings the agenda)

So, unless the above is the case, my answer is "No". A Mastermind Group is not a substitute for coaching. If you are serious about advancing your business, increasing revenue, advancing your career within an organization, or becoming a more effective leader, you will need a private coach. DO not expect your Mastermind Group to substitute for a professional coach. If you are in senior management or you are the top leader, you absolutely need an executive performance coach in addition to your Mastermind Group.

That being said, the reverse is also true. Your private coach will never be able to substitute for a well-picked, committed, enthusiastic Mastermind Group! A smart executive or entrepreneur has both. Remember: the whole idea of a Mastermind Group is to get varied ideas on a common theme, and to be able to piggyback on the ideas of others, put new ideas into action. You are also there to contribute ideas, support, and accountability. You are a team. You play together, you strategize, you practice, you try new things, you fall down, you share what did and didn't work, you listen to what did and didn't work for your team members. The "coach" equivalent for your Mastermind Group is strictly a faciliator, who does minimal or no coaching. She is there to keep time, translate, ask clarifying questions, summarize, keep order in the group, and help it stay on task (and on time).

Sometimes Mastermind Groups can be used as transitional moves in or out of private coaching.

For example, if you really want a private coach but can't afford a really good one yet, a Mastermind Group is a great starting place! Join a well-picked, professionally facilitated group, be committed and involved. When you are financially able, transition into private coaching. Don't give up your Mastermind group, however! You need both!

The converse is also true: if you have been working on a project with a private coach and your project is complete, trust me: you don't want to just unplug and be totally alone out there in today's hyper-competitive, fast changing business world! That's the perfect time to join a good Mastermind Group if you aren't already in one! You'll have listening, support, accountability, ideas, and whenever you need a one-on-one coach again, you can just pick one up.

In conclusion, remember that private coaching is often for a finite time with a certain project to be completed and certain metrics met (perhaps 3-6-12 months), or it can be ongoing for the length of your business-life (especially if you are the top person in your organization). But no matter what, you will always want to belong to a Mastermind team of like-minded people with singleness of purpose, a good facilitator and committed members. You may even want to belong to two or three, for different purposes. I know many people who do. As the American Express saying says: "Don't leave home without it". Join a group today!

To your MasterMinding success