Powerful Peer Groups That Have Truly Transformed My Journey
As an agency owner, I have been fortunate to be a part of powerful peer groups that have truly transformed my journey. These groups have opened doors and highlighted ideas that I never could have imagined. The diverse perspectives shared by fellow agency owners have expanded my thinking, challenging me to approach obstacles from fresh angles. Through collective wisdom, I've gained insights that have elevated the way I strategize and run my business as well as live my life with purpose and clarity.
Perhaps the most profound advantage has been the sense of accountability these groups foster. The support and encouragement from my peers have motivated me to set ambitious goals and work tirelessly to achieve them. The power of brainstorming and problem-solving within these circles has refreshed my approach to tackling obstacles. I've refined my skills, learning from individuals with unique talents that have enriched my agency's offerings. I have also found courage to do the hard things - a staff reduction, setting boundaries and staying in my lane - to name a few.
These peer groups have not only facilitated networking, but they've also provided a lifeline against isolation – a common pitfall for agency owners. (I am looking at you, COVID) Sharing triumphs and setbacks has forged a sense of camaraderie that fuels my motivation every time we meet. Constructive criticism and honest feedback have been instrumental in my personal growth, enabling me to lead my team with greater effectiveness.
In essence, the personal benefits of being part of these powerful peer groups have been immeasurable. Through them, I've discovered a landscape of opportunities and skills that have propelled both me and my agency toward sustained success.
Here is a list of some real world benefits of a powerful peer group:
Diverse Perspectives: Being part of a peer group exposes you to a variety of viewpoints and experiences from fellow agency owners, helping you see challenges and opportunities from different angles. I experience this almost every time we meet. It is most clear when female leaders share their very unique perspectives on work / life issues and gender realities I am often not as tuned into as I would like.
Collective Wisdom: Pooling together the collective knowledge of the group enables you to tap into a wealth of insights, strategies, and best practices that you might not have encountered on your own. From negotiating health insurance to setting up internal rules around AI, the collective and generous wisdom never fails us.
Accountability: Peer groups provide a supportive environment for setting and achieving goals. Members can hold each other accountable, boosting individual and group productivity.The benefit of accountability is all about how the group is structured. One option is simply sharing and commenting on the experience of ownership and challenges. The other is where reporting on actions or lack there is baked into the group. Without a clear structure and expectation set up early the accountability piece can go wrong.
Brainstorming and Problem Solving: Masterminds foster brainstorming sessions where you can openly discuss challenges and receive feedback, leading to creative solutions that might not have occurred to you otherwise.In collective time of need this may be the most important benefit. During COVID to be able to talk in real time about what is working, not working and what “might work” was very valuable.
Networking: Masterminds facilitate networking with peers who share your industry and challenges. This can lead to valuable partnerships, collaborations, and business opportunities. Leads and referrals are our life blood. I have a number of example partnerships on clients, direct referrals and public speaking opportunities that have come from groups.
Reduced Isolation: Running a creative agency can sometimes be isolating. Being part of a peer group provides a sense of community and camaraderie, combating feelings of loneliness. There’s a saying, “It’s lonely at the top”. It used to be lonely at the top. Today, it’s much lonelier at the top. It’s very lonely at the top right now. A place monthly or quarterly to exhale and find common cause is refreshing and easy. This post about community for leaders does an excellent job of making the case.
Motivation and Inspiration: Surrounding yourself with motivated and successful peers can ignite your own motivation and inspire you to set higher goals for your agency. After a difficult firing of a team member my small group rallied to help. When an injury limited my ability to meet a client's expectations a fellow owner offered the right solution. All of this is inspiring and allowed me to bounce back faster.
Feedback and Constructive Criticism: Peer groups offer a safe space to receive honest feedback and constructive criticism, enabling you to make improvements and grow. “Are you sure higher education is the right new niche?” A simple clear question saved me a bad pivot. When I heard, “you are dripping in IP” and “I am unsure what you do” things got a lot clearer. This type of feedback can feel like a drive by shooting. But from a peer that cares and has been there the feedback is right on and often delivered at the right time.
Personal Growth: Engaging in discussions and sharing experiences within a mastermind setting fosters personal development, helping you become a more effective leader and business owner. If I had to measure percentages of time spent on the human vs. the business while in peer groups I would guess over 70% is on us. Insurance, lead gen and AI are important but WE, I or YOU are way more impactful.
These benefits highlight how powerful peer groups can contribute significantly to the growth and success of creative agency owners like yourself. Please seek one out, create your own and please, reach out to see how we can help.
