Thinking About Co-Leading a Group? Ask These 3 Questions First
If you've ever had an effective co-leader for a group you've facilitated, you know it can be one of the best business partnerships you'll ever have. Sharing both the responsibility and the joy of guiding other humans makes leadership more sustainable and rewarding.
But successful co-leadership doesn't happen by accident. When expectations aren't discussed early, even strong partnerships can struggle with communication, decision-making, and workload.
In a recent masterclass hosted by Catherine Brown, co-facilitators Alyssa McGinn (Founder of Behind Closed Doors, an event design strategy firm) and Jen Halpern (Founder of Soft Sell Coaching, specializing in sales training and leadership development) shared the real-world lessons they've learned from launching multiple peer groups and chapters.
Before entering a co-leadership or business partnership, ask these three essential questions.
1. Do We Understand Our Own Strengths and Blind Spots?
Great co-leadership isn't about being identical. It's about being complementary.
- Know your tendencies. Are you a strong "starter" who loves recruiting, or an "operator" who excels at logistics and systems?
- Own your blind spots. Be honest about what you dislike or struggle with before assuming you'll "figure it out" later.
Self-awareness creates clarity, and clarity prevents unnecessary conflict.
2. Have We Worked Out the Brass Tacks?
Don't rely on unspoken expectations. Get specific about the operational and financial realities.
- Equity and revenue splits: Reflect who is carrying the administrative and sales burden. A 60/40 or 70/30 split may be more equitable than a passive 50/50 arrangement.
- Operational ownership: Clarify who manages bookkeeping, merchant accounts, technology, and administrative tools.
- Evolution clauses: Schedule a review every six months to revisit responsibilities and adjust the agreement as your group grows.
The strongest partnerships expect roles to evolve over time.
3. How Will We Stay Aligned?
Relationships rarely fall apart because of one conversation. They struggle when communication slowly disappears.
Establish a non-negotiable meeting cadence, such as a bi-weekly 30-minute check-in or a quarterly strategy review, dedicated to evaluating:
- Group health
- Member retention
- Business priorities
- Co-leader alignment
Regular conversations help small issues stay small.
Bonus: Practical Co-Leadership Tips from Experience
Beyond partnership mechanics, the masterclass also surfaced several battle-tested facilitation strategies.
Embrace the 10-Second Silence
Don't rush to rephrase a question if no one answers immediately. Count to 10 silently to give internal processors time to think before responding.
Invite People into the Conversation
Instead of asking, "Does anyone have a question?" invite participants by name. Personal invitations increase engagement and help everyone feel included.
Build on Scalable Systems
Avoid clunky payment processors that create extra work as your community grows. Instead, standardize on tools like Stripe for recurring membership billing and Mercury for managing shared business expenses with virtual debit cards.
Strong Co-Leadership Starts with Strong Conversations
The best co-leadership partnerships aren't built on perfect personalities. They're built on honest conversations, clear expectations, and a shared commitment to serving the group well.
When you invest time upfront in defining roles, communication, and accountability, you're creating a foundation that allows both leaders and members to thrive.
