The Mastermind Coaching Model

Many coaches today are effectively coaching clients via Mastermind sessions.

The Mastermind principle was originally identified by Napoleon Hill in the early 1900s in his book, Think and Grow Rich. He defined it as “the coordination of knowledge and effort of two or more people, who work toward a definite purpose, in the spirit of harmony.”

A Mastermind group helps brainstorm new possibilities, create effective plans, solve problems, set up accountability structures that help maintain focus, and operate in a group coaching manner to reach new heights.

Adrienne Graham, CEO of Empower Me! Corporation, offers a Next Level Business Coaching Program that brings together women to work with her one-to-one. The women also serve as a Mastermind and accountability group for one another. Through the program she assigns them accountability partners, provides group sessions for them to share their progress and offers a private online forum for them to connect.

Leanne Edwards, a Leadership Coach with The Renaissance Group, has an online web-based tool which allows for accountability for the coach and the coachees.

David Asomaning, the founder of SynchroMind, has an online and offline community dedicated to leadership development through executive coaching, consulting, and Mastermind seminars.

“Mastermind coaching sessions are a great way to experience the benefits of participating in a mini-group think tank,” said AmyK Hutchens, business strategist and executive coach.

To maximize everyone’s time, it is critical to focus on a technique or strategy that is applicable to everyone. “An outside coach can use an individual’s issue as a model for teaching everyone on the call a tool to apply to their own specific issues. The ‘modeling’ of a technique benefits not only the individual that receives the coaching directly, but everyone else gains insights through observation,” said Hutchens. “Mastermind coaching sessions are also great for raising levels of accountability. There’s a natural and healthy form of peer pressure.”

SynchroMind uses formal and informal, large and small, online, by phone, and in person Mastermind groups to support participants. Eventually participants are encouraged to build their own Mastermind groups that will help accelerate them towards their personal and professional goals.

“The Mastermind process is also used internally within SynchroMind by a group of four of us who meet every week for a 1.5-hour phone conference to Mastermind about our individual goals, as well as about our shared goal of building a global network of one million people who Mastermind in small groups of about 6 to 10 people on their various personal and leadership projects,” said Asomaning.

Leaders of the SynchroMind community report positive breakthroughs regarding medical issues, hiring and firing decisions, career transitions, political and public policy dilemmas, and obtaining resources for disabled persons. “We promote our calls online and bring members together (after) for more discussion. We have covered complex issues over successive calls, and the solutions offered transitioned from knee-jerk responses to optimal resolutions,” noted Asomaning.

Graham said her program serves as a motivation to get the work done.

“Many clients were lacking in the follow-through, but have found that being part of this program kept them motivated so they wouldn’t let themselves or their group mates down. They also feel that they have a wealth of expertise and resources to fall back on by being part of this group-coaching environment,” said Graham. “There is no out of sight out of mind mindset in this program. All participants have remained committed and excited about being part of it. It is still a little slow to catch on in some countries, but my international clients are warming up to it.”

What separates the Mastermind model from other coaching methods?

It’s the ability to establish accountability for each member of the group. Mastermind sessions are a proven way to achieve success via a group coaching structure where issues are brainstormed and solutions are realized.