- November 17, 2023
The Value of Mastermind Groups for Independent Financial Advisors
Integrated Financial Group (IFG) is a large enterprise group within the LPL ecosystem, operating from our base in Atlanta, Georgia, with 63 teams spread across 13 states. Our teams comprise incredibly dedicated individuals who have been with us for many years, and those who have just joined our unique community. A significant part of our firm’s mission is to organize our advisors into Mastermind Groups, a concept we strongly believe benefits not only the advisors and their teams, but ultimately their clients as well.
The idea of Mastermind Groups isn’t novel, in fact, it’s been employed by some of the greatest minds in history – Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, Andrew Carnegie, Albert Einstein, and Bill Gates, to name a few. These brilliant individuals utilized what they termed ‘Mastermind Groups’ as a means to exchange ideas and foster intellectual growth.
Our founder, Don Patrick, was inspired by these historical figures and our founding members, who despite being young and relatively new to the business, were sharp, caring, and displayed great potential for growth. Don believed in the principle of ‘iron sharpening iron’, and thus saw the potential in gathering these individuals together in a room, facilitating an environment for them to grow, learn, and support each other.
Over the years, these Mastermind Groups have evolved into much more than just professional alliances. They’ve become circles of friends who know each other’s families, share life’s trials and triumphs, and work together to become better at their craft. Today, over 20 years later, the concept of Mastermind Groups remains at the heart of our organization, extending beyond just our advisors, and seeping into all facets of our operation.
In this blog, we will delve deeper into the role and impact of Mastermind Groups within the realm of independent financial advising, highlighting their value in promoting collaborative growth, advancing professional development, and enhancing client relationships.
What are “Mastermind Groups”?
While the concept of “Mastermind Groups” can be traced back for centuries as a powerful tool, the idea behind Mastermind Groups is one of the key topics of discussion in Napoleon Hill’s influential book, “Think and Grow Rich”. Hill emphasized two immutable laws that are particularly relevant to the concept of a Mastermind Group: the law of environment and the law of diminishing intent.
The law of environment posits that individuals are shaped by their surroundings. By consciously choosing to surround ourselves with individuals who share our values, visions, and a sense of alignment, we can foster an environment that kindles our personal and professional growth. Mastermind Groups for independent financial advisors provide precisely this setting, enabling advisors to thrive and evolve together.
The law of diminishing intent, on the other hand, addresses the common pitfall of brilliant ideas losing their potency and ultimately dying in the face of ingrained habits, rituals, and the status quo. Mastermind Groups act as a potent antidote to this phenomenon. By providing a platform for shared ideas and collaboration, these groups ensure that valuable thoughts and strategies are not left to languish unused, but actively nurtured and brought to fruition.
The unique culture within Mastermind Groups and the values they uphold make them an attractive prospect for new advisors seeking professional contrast. They cater to a profound, yet often unmet need for belonging. More than just a sense of community, these groups recognize the individuality of each member, acknowledging each by name, and valuing their unique contributions.
In essence, Mastermind Groups for independent financial advisors serve two primary functions. Firstly, they offer a sense of belonging, a space where advisors can form meaningful connections, exchange ideas, and foster mutual growth. Secondly, they allow for personal recognition and accountability, ensuring each member’s ideas are heard, valued, and acted upon. This balance of communal growth and individual recognition is the lifeblood of Mastermind Groups.
5 Benefits of Mastermind Groups
Explore the top five benefits of being part of a Mastermind Group and how it can positively impact your career growth as an independent financial advisor:
1. Building a Strong Network
Mastermind Groups create a bridge of mutual support and mentorship among independent advisors, promoting a culture of sharing successes and learning from each other’s experiences. The strength of a Mastermind Group for financial advisors lies in its diversity, with each member bringing their unique insights, experiences and methodologies.
2. Organizing for Success
The organization and structure of a Mastermind Group are crucial. These groups thrive on clear objectives, regular meetings and a collaborative culture. They provide an environment where independent advisors can share their best practices, discuss their worries, and brainstorm solutions to common challenges. This focused approach enables Mastermind Groups to foster consistent growth and progress in each advisor’s practice.
3. The Next Generation of Collaboration
The scope of Mastermind Groups for independent financial advisors isn’t limited to current practices. They have shown the potential to influence next-generation models, as seen with the G2 NextGen Initiative. By promoting a collaborative ethos, these groups have valuable implications for the future of business operations and organization.
4. Advancing Professional Growth
The professional growth fostered within these groups is immense. Based on the principle of shared success, they provide a space for advisors to learn from each other, gain new perspectives, and implement innovative strategies. The rewarding cycle of learning, sharing, and growing together makes Mastermind Groups a powerful tool for independent advisors.
5. Showing Up for Clients
Perhaps the most significant benefit of being part of a Mastermind Group is the impact on client relationships. By fostering a culture of shared success and learning, these groups enable advisors to provide enhanced services to their clients. Advisors become more equipped to handle diverse client needs, and in turn, show up for their clients in more meaningful ways.
Key Criteria of Mastermind Groups
When establishing a Mastermind Group, certain critical factors come into play. Consider these key criteria when forming groups of your own:
1. Size
The first of these is the size of the group. An ideal Mastermind Group consists of approximately ten members. This size is manageable and allows each participant to contribute effectively. Merely being an observer is not the goal; active participation is key.
2. Composition
The composition of the group should not be homogenous. Avoid the temptation to seek out individuals identical to you. Instead, aim for a diverse mix of experiences. This diversity could be geographical – advisors building their businesses in different locations – or it might be industry-based differences. Just as a group of CEOs from various industries can benefit from shared insights, so too can financial advisors from differing practices.
A beneficial Mastermind Group has a blend of experiences and business models. Perhaps you have a solo practitioner paired with someone who runs a large team. Both perspectives are valuable, particularly as members’ business goals change over time. One might aspire to grow, while the other seeks to simplify.
3. Openness to Collaboration
However, the most crucial criteria in forming a Mastermind Group are humility and an eagerness to learn. Individuals who believe they have all the answers or assert that their way is the best and only way are not well-suited to this collaborative environment. Members should be open to learning, always in pursuit of knowledge, and willing to admit there could be a better way.
4. Clear Guidelines
Finally, setting clear parameters, rules of engagement, and accountability processes is vital to the effective functioning of the group. A wise mentor once shared, “In business, don’t just strive to make a profit, leave a profit.” This means everyone you interact with should be better off because of their involvement with you. This principle holds true in Mastermind Groups as well. Each member should grow individually and contribute to the growth of others.
How Integrated Financial Group Does Mastermind Groups
At Integrated Financial Group (IFG), we take the concept of Mastermind Groups to a whole new level. Our approach is not only about order, structure, and accountability; we place a massive emphasis on fulfillment – both for the individual participant and the group as a whole. Our mindset leans towards creating empowering leaders who, in turn, develop other leaders.
IFG’s Mastermind Groups are structured and overseen by Don Patrick and Andrews Brown. They set the parameters, establish the groups, and then step back, allowing the advisors to engage in open, candid dialogue. This setup fosters an environment of openness and a sense of belonging, where everyone feels comfortable discussing any topic, including potential improvements to IFG itself.
One crucial aspect that we stress is the importance of ownership. Every member must take ownership of the Mastermind Group. Its success is determined not by what it is said to be, but what is tolerated within the group. To maintain the effectiveness of the group, there may come a time when members need to part ways. Hence, setting clear ground rules from the start is paramount. If a member misses two out of three annual meetings, for instance, they would be asked to leave the group.
We also believe in shared responsibility. Every member, over time, should have the opportunity to facilitate and lead a session. This way, the burden of planning and leading is not on one person, and the topics discussed are relevant and valuable to all. Coming prepared to every meeting is non-negotiable; this is part of taking ownership. Ultimately, the success of the Mastermind Group is as good as what each member makes it.
IFG Annual Retreats
The significance of face-to-face interaction in our Mastermind Groups cannot be overstated. And that’s why every January, IFG organizes an Annual Retreat – a conference held in Atlanta, often around the same time our advisors are in the city. This allows them to attend in-person Mastermind Group meetings by simply coming a day early or staying a day later. While some meetings may be virtual, the value of in-person interaction is recognized by each group, ensuring that at least one or two meetings a year are designated for a trip.
Take, for instance, a recent meeting held just outside Port Charlotte, Florida. The advisors, along with their spouses, had a grand time on a boat trip. Intertwining fun with the meetings is key to fostering a warm, productive environment. Having spouses involved helps create a sense of camaraderie that extends beyond professional life – it’s a journey we undertake together through life’s ups and downs.
What’s more, we’re also noticing the value of involving key personnel from the advisors’ teams in these meetings. As the advisors find more value in the gatherings, they often bring along the ones who execute day-to-day operations, adding a new perspective to the discussion. We’re also looking at replicating this successful model with our staff, giving them the opportunity to share their learnings and experiences. This approach ensures that everyone associated with the advisor’s office benefits from the shared wisdom within the group.
Additionally, there has been a significant focus on involving the next generation of advisers, such as the sons and daughters who are entering the business. These sessions provide a platform for them to learn crucial aspects such as workflow management, succession planning, and training programs from the seasoned advisors. Key players in these sessions are those who execute day-to-day operations, and even those in intermediate roles such as office managers and operations managers.
Aside from these specific Mastermind Groups, there is a larger scale initiative referred to as the Associate’s Best Practice Forum that takes place every two months. These sessions are designed to educate and equip all our administrative staff with essential skills and knowledge.
For instance, in the year 2023, our own financial planners and advisors spent a considerable amount of time teaching associates the intricacies of financial planning. This approach has not only enriched the skills of our associates but further enhanced the culture within our LPL advisor community.
We advocate for the creation of Mastermind Groups based on varied parameters such as experience, geography, team size, or even specific areas of interest like tax planning. The cornerstone of this approach is the openness to learn from others and the absence of ego. This ethos has enabled us to foster a community that values shared wisdom and growth.
The Best Part About IFG Mastermind Groups
The true success of Mastermind Groups at IFG is immeasurable. It lies in the way we cultivate an environment of mutual growth and support, strengthening each other through shared experiences and collective wisdom.
When a member of our group faces a personal or professional challenge, we rally around them, providing support and resources to help them navigate their journey. We understand that no one should be an island, no matter how independent they may be. We’ve seen countless stories unfold where members are uplifted by the strength of their peers, saying, “I’ve seen him do it. ‘ve seen her do it. Now I can do it too.”
This form of positive association has led to significant growth in individual businesses, a testament to the power of Mastermind Groups. But most importantly, we are here for each other – to serve, to support, to make each other’s lives better. The sense of care and genuine desire for your success that comes from being in a Mastermind Group is priceless. This, we believe, is the greatest value of our community, and it’s a sentiment that we hope resonates in every member of our group.
