We could all use a little help from time to time.
I've written about the benefits of "standing on the shoulders of giants" to gain knowledge and learn from the mistakes (and successes) of others, because this practice is essential to your business's longevity and well-being. Now, I'll even go so far as to say that this practice is crucial to your own personal longevity and well-being, since no one is an island. Nor should they be. We all have a strong need to collaborate for a reason. It's in our DNA.
But if you're running your own business, you may find it difficult to get help from inside your own company. Or you may not want to chart your career trajectory with colleagues. Either way, turning to outside groups to find peer-to-peer connections and support is a great way to deepen your leadership skills.
There are many peer-to-peer groups (e.g., business owner to business owner) that can help you grow as a leader and growth-minded professional. Well-known groups like Vistage and Entrepreneurs' Organization offer forums, mentorship and accelerator programs, chapter and global events, and executive leadership training (among other highly prized mindshare assets) that support the personal and professional success of their members. Our CEO, Eric Taussig, belongs to the San Francisco chapter of EO, which he finds invaluable on many levels, both tangible and intangible.
Yet, while the in-person advantage of peer-to-peer groups cannot be overlooked, there are many who cannot afford the time commitment or hard costs associated with such groups. In addition, many may not be at a level in their professional lives to qualify for membership. Thankfully, it's incredibly easy and effective to leverage online groups.
This article is geared toward helping small and midsize business leaders find the online peer-to-peer Facebook groups that fit their executive leadership development needs the best.
Become A More Effective Leader
At first glance, this list of 15 Facebook groups for leadership development may seem most geared toward side hustlers. But it isn't. Rather, this list is for anyone who wants to grow as a leader but isn't ready for the time and financial commitment of the global peer-to-peer groups. Rather than being an exhaustive resource list, these groups will provide a place to start your search for knowledge, networking, and support.
The Facebook groups below meet the following criteria: they have a significant membership base that actively supports each other, and at least one highly engaging moderator to keep threads relevant and compelling.
11 Ways Great One on One Meetings Improve Productivity
For Real Estate Professionals
1. Real Estate Success Principles
The Real Estate Success Principles group is a place to share ideas, strategies, scripts, and systems used by top agents in the United States and Canada to sell a high volume of properties and dominate online.
For Entrepreneurs
Do you want to become a "Super Hero Entrepreneur"? This group promises to help you get there by taking your business (and yourself) to the next level.
The rules of this group are simple:
- Don't be "rude"
- Don't promote your offers, company, or anything else without permission or on Monday's promo thread
3. Ambitious Millennial Entrepreneurs
Are you ambitious and driven? Do you consider yourself a total game changer? This group will "only hang out with high vibe entrepreneurs" who support others by being their very best selves. So make sure you're ready to rock with other ambitious millennial entrepreneurs!
Here are their "DO" rules (versus "DON'T"):
- Ask questions and find support in your business
- Ask for recommendations on people we’ve worked with and tools we’ve used
- Share your stories that we can learn from and relate to
- Be kind and supportive
- Engage with other posts and give what you want out of this group
- Give value. Don’t promote anything if your post is not helpful and engaging without the link
- Get personal with us on livestream and video
4. Angel Investors - Venture Capitalists Wanted
If you are a startup founder seeking angel investors and venture capitalists then this group is your cup of tea (or pint of brew). This group allows you to create a discussion board about your business that angel investors can browse (and contact you, ideally).
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This group is anti-promotional in regards to anything except great marketing tactics. So if you're in the market for marketing tips, tricks, best practices, and industry trends then join this group. They are looking to learn, share, and grow with entrepreneurs, founders, and growth hackers in every industry.
Their one rule: you must have what it takes to execute.
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This group refers to itself as a "community that supports you doing your best to be your best in business {and life}." Adrienne is an amazing moderator who has created an online space to share strategic business know-how, hold ourselves accountable to do what we say we want to do, and receive/offer the support to make it a reality.
According to Adrienne, you're in the right spot if:
- You're an achiever
- You’re ready to commit to results & success and know that it’s inevitable
- You’re super generous and like to give back & help others
- You’re excited to give and receive feedback and support
- You believe in optimism & positivity
- You’re interested in being more strategic about your success
- You want a community of humans who ‘get you’
- You’ve got big goals and the drive to achieve them
- You know that growth happens inside of a community who supports you outside of your comfort zone
- You enjoy laughing until you cry and don’t take yourself too seriously
7. Screw the Nine to Five Community
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This group is designed to help surround you with people who "get" you. People who understand your dreams, who can answer questions and give feedback, and provide support. These folks are "hell-bent on taking their 9-to-5's" and giving them the finger.
Like many of the groups on this list, it's imperative that you actively take part and help others in order to receive help for yourself. And if you spam, you will be banned.
Wisdompreneurs is a global network of transformational leaders. Their intention is dialogue WITH each other instead of promotion AT each other. If you don’t respect the guidelines, one of their community managers will remove you from the group.
They have a founder and a team of five admins whose role it is to uphold the guidelines, give input into the direction of the community, and answer questions.
For Ecommerce Professionals
Show and tell, grow and sell! This group is a place for merchants to discuss ideas and best practices. It's also a place to share your successes and help fellow shop owners in the ecommerce community. Full disclosure: it is powered by Shopify staff and merchants. However, everyone is welcome.
10. Online Business BFFs Community (formerly Blog and Biz BFFs)
The Online Business BFFs Community is a place for online entrepreneurs to lend support, give feedback, and share advice. This is truly one of the most encouraging and strategic communities on the internet!
For Specific Help With Social Media
11. Social Boss with Caitlin Bacher
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Social Boss is a group hosted by Caitlin Bacher. Caitlin helps entrepreneurs magnetize their social media to attract MORE customers. Once you're a member, it's a great idea to visit Caitlin's blog to get instant access to her free checklists, worksheets, and more to help you nail your social media strategy.
For Female Entrepreneurs (and Executives)
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This is an incredible place for women who want to be savvy, supportive business owners and learn from other like-minded women. Each day there is a prompt to promote discussion: Motivation Monday, Share & Care Tuesday, Wednesday Weekly Mixer, Thursday Talk, and Fist Bump Friday.
13. PeriGirls
The PeriGirls Facebook group isn't just a group, it's "a SISTERHOOD!" It is all about women supporting women with tips, tricks, training, and more. They blast each other's scopes and replays, too.
FYI: this group does not approve the following profiles: men, co-owned (couples) accounts, and business names.
14. Ladypreneur
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This is a peer-to-peer networking and support group where you can connect with your business peers and ask specific questions about business or life as an entrepreneur.
As a general rule, they'd like you to comment on other people's posts before you post your own (pay it forward.) Feel free to share helpful resources as long as they are not self-promotional, since "this is a community that values connection, not a bulletin board for your latest promotion."
In order to keep this group friendly, valuable, and on point, they do have a few rules. Posts or comments that violate these rules will be deleted, and members will be removed from the group without warning. Instead of listing what you can't do, let's look at what you can do:
- Be nice
- Be kind
- Be respectful
- Be helpful
- Be supportive
- Be active
- Ask questions
- Ask for support
- Ask for advice
- Ask for ideas
15. The Feminine Affluent Entrepreneur
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This group is for ladies who are ready to take their coaching business to the next level. Moderator Melissa Pharr is passionate about creating an awesome environment where women can meet other like-minded women who have chosen the entrepreneurial path.
Melissa is out to ban the phrase "I can't afford it," since she strongly believes that no woman should have to turn down her next step, support, dream, or experience because she doesn't believe she has enough.
NOW GET OUT THERE AND HUSTLE
Once you've decided which groups you'd like to join, start browsing their feeds. Look at what they are discussing, and jump in with comments if you have something to offer. Just remember the 80/20 rule that encourages us to give more than we take and listen more than we talk...or in this case, write.