Franklin's Formula for Fame and Fortune: How Group Coaching Can Transform Your Success
Franklin's Formula for Fame and Fortune: How to Hack Success with Group Executive Coaching
Benjamin Franklin—Founding Father, inventor, diplomat, and (if we're being honest) the ultimate self-help guru of his time. You know him as the guy with the kite, the key, and the shocking discovery about electricity. But did you know Franklin was also a master at amassing serious wealth? He didn’t just help start a country; he helped himself to a fortune that would make today’s billionaires blush. And no, he didn’t do it with Bitcoin or IPOs.
Franklin’s secret to success? Sure, the dude was smart, but his real magic came from two simple strategies that any modern executive can use: (1) a fanatical obsession with self-improvement and (2) the power of his exclusive club, the junto.
Now, you’re probably thinking, “What the heck is a junto?” And more importantly, “What does that have to do with me crushing it in business today?”
Buckle up, because we’re about to break it down—Franklin style.
The OG Success Story
Before we dive into Franklin’s success hacks, let’s remember who we’re talking about here. This guy was a certified polymath. He invented bifocals so you could see better while reading his newspapers. He played with lightning like a hobbyist, revolutionized home heating with his Franklin stove, and even started the first public library in America.
But here’s the kicker: Franklin wasn’t born with a trust fund or a silver spoon. No fancy college degrees, either. The man was a runaway apprentice who started with nothing but grit and ambition. Fast forward a few decades, and Franklin’s bank account was so fat, it would have him showing up on lists of the richest people ever. Adjust for inflation, and you’ve got a dude worth more than most tech moguls today. Yes, even that one.
So how did he pull it off? What was Franklin’s formula for fame, fortune, and all-around badassery?
Two words: Self-improvement and...junto.
The Constant Pursuit of Getting Better (AKA, Franklin Was a Life-Hacker Before Life-Hacking Was Cool)
Franklin had a relentless commitment to self-improvement. He famously carried around a list of 13 virtues—things like temperance, frugality, and humility—and tracked his progress every single day. (And we thought bullet journals were a modern thing.)
Basically, Franklin was the king of leveling up. And he didn’t stop with personal virtues. He was always reading, always learning, always looking for the next edge. In other words, he was exactly the kind of person who would have a LinkedIn Learning subscription and probably be a sucker for a good TED Talk.
But here’s where things get even more interesting—he didn’t do it alone.
Enter the Junto: Franklin's Not-So-Secret Success Squad
The junto was Franklin’s inner circle, his exclusive crew of smart, ambitious people who met every week to, well, get smarter and more ambitious together. Think of it as a mastermind group before masterminds were a thing.
Franklin founded the junto in 1727. This wasn’t just a bunch of guys drinking ale and swapping business cards. No, no. These people met to discuss philosophy, share ideas, and troubleshoot real-world problems. There was a structure, there were rules, and there were 12 guiding questions—like, “What successes have you had this week?” and “How can we help each other improve?”
In other words, the junto wasn’t just a social club. It was a turbo-charged brainstorming session. A safe space where you could get honest feedback, real support, and new perspectives. It’s no wonder Franklin credited this group with so much of his success.
Sound familiar? If you’ve ever been part of an executive coaching group, you’re probably nodding right now.
The Modern Junto: Why Every Executive Needs a Squad
So, let’s talk about group executive coaching, because that’s basically today’s version of Franklin’s junto. What he figured out nearly 300 years ago still holds true: Surround yourself with smart people, get regular feedback, and you’ll go farther, faster. It’s as simple as that.
Here’s why group executive coaching is the 21st-century junto you need in your life:
Ready to Join Your Own Junto?
So there you have it—Benjamin Franklin’s not-so-secret formula for fame, fortune, and all-around awesomeness. He worked hard to improve himself and even harder to surround himself with people who’d help him improve even more.
And guess what? You can follow that exact formula today. Join a group executive coaching program, and you’re essentially stepping into your own modern-day junto—one where you’ll get the support, feedback, and accountability to help you crush your goals, just like Franklin.
The bottom line: If it worked for a guy who basically invented the modern world, it can work for you too. Let’s be honest—if Franklin were alive today, he’d be the first one to sign up for group coaching. Probably right after inventing something else to make our lives easier.
Still on the fence? Ask yourself this: What would Ben do?
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