10 Reasons Why Mastermind Groups Fail-Karyn Greenstreet

Attached is a news update I received from Karyn Greenstreet via email that I wanted to share with you on mastermind groups. As Karyn identifies the 10 reasons why mastermind groups fail, this provide a check list of what to look out for when joining or starting a mastermind group to ensure future success. Thank you Karyn.

10 Reasons Why Mastermind Groups Fail

Mastermind groups are an extraordinary way to help you accomplish success is your personal and business life. But I’ve seen too many mastermind groups fail, falling off the face of the Earth at an alarming rate.

Here’s a short list of the most common reasons why mastermind groups fail:

1) Members are not committed. They don’t show up for every meeting. They make excuses why they didn’t achieve the actions and goals they set for themselves. They don’t pay attention during meetings and/or don’t participate fully.

2) The Group Facilitator does not have a good handle on how groups function, and doesn’t know how to build trust and communication in a group environment. They’re not trained to keep group conversations going, to deal with difficult members, or to keep energy levels high.

3) The mastermind group is too large. The purpose of a mastermind group is that everyone gets a chance to bring their problem, decision or idea to the table, and that everyone gets to brainstorm with the person in the “hot seat.” If the group is too large, people get left out of discussions.

4) There’s no mechanism for communication between meetings. Meetings typically range from 90 minutes to a full weekend. But what about all the time between meetings when life continues to happen?

5) The Group Facilitator treats the mastermind group like a class, lecturing to the members instead of encouraging the members to work with each other as a peer advisory board.

6) The group hasn’t decided on the purpose of the group and the structure of the meetings, so everyone flounders.

7) The members fail to hold each other accountable. They don’t hold people’s feet to the fire and they allow members to make excuses about why something didn’t get done.

The group doesn’t meet often enough. One of the benefits of a mastermind group is that each member selects a goal or action item to be completed by the next meeting. If the meetings are too far apart, all momentum is lost.

9) The members’ experience level/success level ranges too widely. While having very successful people in a mastermind group is great for a new person, the more seasoned person will feel they’re not getting as much value from the group.

10) The group members don’t feel safe in the group environment. People will not open up and talk about their problems and challenges if they fear ridicule or rejection. They also will not open up if they feel their competitors are in the same room, listening to their problems or stealing their best ideas.

Don’t let your mastermind group sink into obscurity. A little bit of planning and education will allow you group to prosper and thrive, benefitting everyone.

Karyn Greenstreet,
Small Business Coach and Mastermind Group Expert
The Success Alliance
“Create Success: Start a Mastermind Group!”
The Success Alliance – Articles about Mastermind Groups

Here are other articles pertaining to mastermind groups

5 Benefits of Joining a Mastermind Group click here

4 Tips to Find or Start a Mastermind Group click here

Mastermind Groups- Should I Join One? click here