Are you confused about what an accountability group is and how it’s different from a mastermind group? Let’s clear it up!

Whether you’re looking to join a group or start one of your own, the design and purpose of the group must fit the needs of the members. From my perspective, the best way to think about it is that a mastermind group can include everything an accountability group does, but an accountability group rarely includes everything a mastermind group does.

As you design your group program, these distinctions help you communicate to your audience while marketing, so they know if your group is right for them. After all, what you promise in your marketing has to reflect the value they’ll get by joining your group. It sets expectations for their behavior in your group, as well.

Let me give you an overview of both types of groups.

Accountability groups

The primary purpose of an accountability group is to help members reach a goal or complete a project. Because members want to be more productive and manage their time better, an accountability group is about getting things done. It’s about holding each other’s feet to the fire and being accountable for taking action – or inaction.

Accountability groups meet frequently because everyone is focused on making forward progress on goals and tasks. Meetings can be weekly with regular check-ins between meetings  (sometimes daily check-ins!).

• The group might include brainstorming solutions to problems, but decision-making and problem-solving on a deep basis is not their main focus. Sometimes it is only the facilitator who is available to answer questions and help solve problems (the rest of the group does not chime in on the conversation).
• Sometimes there is training in an accountability group, often centered around productivity and time/task management.
• Some accountability groups are preceded by a workshop on a topic, and that workshop topic is also the focus of the accountability group. For instance, first members attend a workshop on designing your website and later join an accountability group to help you as you design your website and get it published live.
• Some groups are focused solely on action planning and getting things done (and don’t include any training or brainstorming).

In accountability groups, it’s often the role of the group facilitator to hold individual members accountable. However, in a mastermind group, everyone holds each other accountable…

Mastermind groups

The focus of a mastermind group, like an accountability group, is to help members reach their goals. But a mastermind group includes much more: a strong portion of brainstorming, problem-solving, decision-making, and sharing of ideas, solutions, and resources. A large part of each meeting is devoted to individual Hot Seats, where each member can share a challenge or question, and everyone (including the facilitator and all members) helps the person in the Hot Seat.

While some accountability groups can have a strong community focus, mastermind groups are always community-focused. It’s about the members helping each other. The role of the facilitator is two-fold: to mentor and advise individual members, and to manage the group dynamics and discussion, which creates a strong, trusting community of members. When accountability is part of a mastermind group, the facilitator tracks action plans and results for individual members — and all members act as a supportive team.

Mastermind groups often include accountability and action planning as part of their overall design. Plus, mastermind groups include strategic thinking, decision-making, and sharing of best practices. A crucial component is where all the members help each other to achieve more and reach their goals.

• Some mastermind groups include a heavy focus on accountability, other groups either have no accountability focus or use a very light touch (everyone simply shares their goals with occasional short check-ins during meetings).
• Sometimes mastermind groups include a workshop prior to the mastermind group so that everyone starts at the same education level. (That’s what I love about mastermind groups — you can design your group to include everything your members need: coaching, consulting, training, masterminding, accountability.)

Can your group be both?

Yes, of course. Some accountability groups include masterminding, and some mastermind groups have a strong accountability focus.

Don’t get hung up on the name:

• If the group you’re designing has a heavy focus on accountability, and that’s why your members join, then call it an “accountability group” (even if it includes masterminding).
• If the main benefit of the group is sharing best practices, solving problems, and making strategic decisions, and a key focus is on the community (with some accountability and action planning included), call it a “mastermind group.”

Above all else, the name and definition of your group must resonate with your audience and what they’re seeking in life.

Want to learn how to start a mastermind group? Click here to get my free video tutorial on how to create a mastermind group of your own. No signup required.