the difference between one-on-one coaching, group coaching, and masterminds
A few months ago, I shared a post describing what my leadership coaching practice is and isn’t: in a nutshell, it isn’t therapy*, but it is about deeply listening to your goals and aspirations, reflecting what you share back to you, and helping you mine all your successes and strengths to make progress toward those goals. As part of the process, a coach might bring tools to help you clarify your goals: in my case, I often use online tools to help identify clients’ strengths; also we might create goal maps or even vision boards together. My one-on-one practice has been a source of great joy for me: I love working with people who have big, audacious plans for their lives, and watching them make progress on those plans are thrilling. And I’m sure my clients would say that meeting with me on the regular, partly as an accountability practice, but also to help remind them how far they’ve come (not to mention occasionally spot issues and a-ha moments that they might not otherwise be able to see for themselves, a forest-for-the-trees sort of thing) is deeply encouraging as well.
As I’ve thought about my own business and how I wanted to expand, my research led me to two different types of offerings, both of which have their benefits and, in my opinion, are often mistaken for each other. So today, I thought I’d share my thoughts on the difference between group coaching and a mastermind group.
Group coaching is very similar to one-on-one coaching, except in a small group context, and often more structured. Because there are more people involved, one-on-one actual coaching is usually more limited; however members of a coaching group might have similar goals (or even the same goal, if they’re on a team), and the coach will act, in some ways, as an instructor as well as a coach: there will be teachings and learnings, and if a member has a question, they can go directly to the coach to ask about how those teachings might be applicable to their particular goals. Coaching members may or may not interact with each other, but the focus is primarily on the relationship between the coaching group members and the coach, with the members going off and applying what they learned to their individual goals independently.
A mastermind group, on the other hand, is more about the collective themselves: in this scenario, the coach acts as a facilitator of conversation — the coach doesn’t so much teach and instruct, as simply moderate the discussion among the mastermind group themselves. In a mastermind group, there isn’t a curriculum: the group decides what they’d like to work on together, the members report into each other, and help hold each other accountable.
Given these three ways to help you achieve your goals, which ones are right for you?
Well, it depends. If you’re a person who would like to keep the work of attaining your dreams or goals confidential, then one-on-one coaching is probably best — even though group coaching and mastermind groups should also have an ethic of confidentiality, by their nature, more people are going to know your business than just the coach. If you’d like both community and guidance, then perhaps group coaching would be best. And if all you’re looking for is a smart community, without any guidance at all, then perhaps you should investigate a mastermind group. Honestly, each one has their benefits. So as you try to figure out which one works best for you, simply do your research, ask for references, and find out all you can about the experience. With the right coach and setting, you’ll be amazed at what you’ll be able to accomplish.
* Just to reiterate: remember, again, coaching isn’t therapy. If you find a coach promising to help you with your relationship with your family of origin, addiction, mental health issues or anything similar, then that’s therapy, not coaching — so be sure that the person who is offering this service is actually a licensed therapist before you sign up for anything like that. Similarly, if you do find that what you need to work on are not career goals but, in fact, aspects of your mental health, be sure to engage a licensed therapist, and not a coach.
Incidentally, if you’d like to work with me to achieve your own purposeful work or life, I offer one-on-one coaching; also, The Star Collective, which is a combination of both group coaching and mastermind. The Star Collective includes a 7-month curriculum, with monthly calls and check-ins with me, but also a mastermind group in the form of a private network for all participants, and an accountability buddy who participants will also meet with once a month to encourage each other in their individual goals. One-on-one coaching is always available year round; and applications for The Star Collective have just opened up. Click either of the buttons below to find out more!
the star collective
the star collective
The Star Collective is a group coaching, masterminding, networking experience for people who are big on using their superpowers to live a meaningful, purposeful and value-driven life. This is going to be a very small group, for about 10 people who are willing to commit to 7 months of learning and working together, as we workshop our goals.
Applications are open now, The Star Collective begins May 1st!
one-on-one coaching
one-on-one coaching
Coaching is all about unlocking your potential to maximize your own success. Our coaching work together will be all about the present and future, focusing on your goals and drawing on your potential, strengths and skills to maximize success in your life and work.
One-on-one coaching can begin at any time — and I have some openings available now!
“Making the decision to work with Karen is one of the best investments I have made in myself. Through her, I not only discovered my unique combination of strengths, but more importantly, how I can use these strengths in creating the life that works for me. Instead of a dream, I now have a concrete plan with clear steps. I highly recommend working with Karen.
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It’s all about rhythm.