Thinking of starting your own mastermind or accountability group? I’ve been part of mastermind groups for years and have professionally facilitated them for like-minded leaders to support their personal growth and leadership development. I’ve previously written about what masterminds are and why they’re such a powerful way to take your business to the next level. In this article, I want to go deeper into the basics of creating your own mastermind group: how to start one, what to consider, and what pitfalls to avoid.
Here are seven key steps to creating and leading a mastermind — including what to plan for and what to steer clear of:
1: Decide on the ideal size of your mastermind.
I host mini-masterminds with fellow entrepreneurs in pairs, which I sometimes call “founder huddles” for early-stage leaders. I’ve also run groups of 5 to 8 people in more formal sessions. Once a group grows beyond 8, I usually break it into smaller subgroups so everyone gets enough time to share their challenges and journey. In this guide, I’ll focus on groups of 5–6 people, which I highly recommend. More than 8 becomes a scheduling nightmare; fewer than 4, and you may not get enough diverse perspectives to really move your project forward.
2: Set an intention and a goal.
Every mastermind serves a purpose — get clear on what that is. Is it about growth, accountability, honest feedback, or all of the above? In my groups, I often set the intention of creating space for honest, constructive feedback that helps everyone grow — together. We meet over several months, diving deep into one member’s challenge or focus area at a time.
3: Invite the right people.
Make sure the group shares common ground and is in a similar stage of growth. It helps if everyone is working on comparable projects or businesses — for example, product-based founders, leaders in tech, new parents, or women in male-dominated fields. Define your criteria and shared interests clearly.
It’s important to strike a balance: you don’t want everyone to be the same, but a shared baseline helps ensure meaningful conversation.
4: Write a clear call for interest.
Draft a short description of the kind of person you’re looking for — and be clear about who wouldn’t be a good fit. For instance, if you’re a consultant making low six figures and aiming to scale into the high sixes or seven figures, it may not be helpful to include someone just starting out or working in a completely different context.
Choosing the right people is crucial — these are the folks who’ll be giving you feedback on your biggest ideas. The wrong feedback at the wrong time can derail momentum or seed doubt. Whether you call it a mastermind, a personal board of advisors, or just a trusted circle — curating thoughtful leadership around you is a powerful way to accelerate both personal and professional growth.
Write a “role description” for the kind of members you’re seeking. Share it with people you admire, and invite conversations around what your mastermind could look like.
5: Set a clear start and end date.
Many peer-led groups fizzle out because there’s no defined end. I’ve found that 6 months is a good minimum, and a 12-month series with a planned pause works really well. Be clear about both the beginning and the end.
6: Choose a regular meeting rhythm.
Biweekly meetings tend to work well — weekly is often too intense for busy schedules, while monthly can work for long-running groups. Try to stick to a consistent day and time to reduce coordination fatigue.
7: Decide on tools and structure
Will you meet in person or online? Will there be a facilitator, or will leadership rotate? What tools will you use for scheduling, documentation, or communication between sessions? My favorite setup for virtual masterminds includes a shared Notion dashboard, a recurring Zoom link, and a rotating moderator role so everyone feels ownership.
It’s helpful to agree on a basic agenda: for example, a check-in round, one deep-dive session for a member, feedback, and next steps. Keep the structure simple but consistent. It creates safety, predictability, and makes each session more valuable.
Final thoughts: Why masterminds matter more than ever
In a world where leadership can be isolating and fast-paced, masterminds offer something rare: intentional space for reflection, support, and collective wisdom. When done right, they become an engine for personal growth, professional breakthroughs, and real human connection.
If you’re thinking about starting a mastermind, do it with purpose. Design it with care. And most importantly, build it with people who challenge and uplift you.
