How Do I Choose the Best Coaches, Mentors and Masterminds for Me?

Aug 11, 2021

In today's episode, I describe how coaches, mentors, and masterminds can support your career transition.

My first mentor was an internist I met through my volunteer work in continuing medical education at my hospital and state medical society. He encouraged me to pursue a career in hospital management.

What are the characteristics of a MENTOR? Here are a few...

• Volunteer
• Informal
• Infrequent
• Self-selected
• Growth-oriented
• Directional / advice

What is a COACH?

• Paid
• Formal
• Therapy-like
• Regular schedule
• Less directive
• Goal-oriented

What are the differences between a mentor and a coach?

• Growth-oriented vs. goal-oriented
• Unpaid vs. paid
• Intermittent and infrequent vs. regularly scheduled
• Often ongoing vs. time-limited

What is GROUP coaching?

• Similar to coaching with multiple members
• Paid
• Regular meetings
• Less directive
• Less costly to purchase
• More reach for the coach

What is a MASTERMIND group?

My first experience with a mastermind group grew out of my experience with executive coaching.

Every month or two, all of the senior executives at the hospital where I was CMO would dedicate one of our scheduled meetings to a special session. During that session, one of the C-suite executives would take the metaphorical "hot seat."

Once there, the facilitator/coach would start by asking the subject to describe the major challenge in their job that they wanted to discuss. Then the rest of us would spend the next 20 to 30 minutes asking questions to obtain clarity about the problem. Then we’d explore what had been tried already to resolve it.

We would ask probing questions. Ultimately, the subject on the hot seat would define the next steps based on insights and ideas inspired by the group.

It was amazing how often this erudite and accomplished person could find solutions through the mastermind that they had previously been unable to discover on their own.

The mastermind never failed to generate new ideas and instill a level of accountability that was otherwise not attainable.

Characteristics of a mastermind group:

• A concept described by Napoleon Hill and others since the 1940s
• Used mostly by business leaders and entrepreneurs to create breakthroughs and accelerate their success
• It requires a facilitator
• It can be done in a variety of formats
  • Monthly meetings for months to years
  • Weekly or biweekly for a shorter duration
  • Larger groups over a weekend retreat
  • Face to face or online
  • Some are free – many are paid 
• Benefits
  • Peer accountability
  • Brainstorming
  • Support
  • Networking
  • Real-time education
  • A catalyst for success

These three tools can be used to accelerate career transition. Each has its strengths. And there is nothing wrong with using all three. In some ways, they are complementary to one another.

If you'd like to join my NEW Nonclinical Mastermind Group opening this fall, you can learn about it and join the waiting list at nonclinicalphysicians.com/mastermind.

Get an updated edition of the FREE GUIDE to 10 Nonclinical Careers at nonclinicalphysicians.com/freeguide.

Get a list of 70 nontraditional jobs at nonclinicalphysicians.com/70jobs.

Check out a FREE WEBINAR called Best Options for an Interesting and Secure Nonclinical Job at nonclinicalphysicians.com/freewebinar1