Mastermind groups tend to be very secretive. The reason you can’t find a mastermind group is because most group’s intention isn’t to be public. When you look at the definition of a mastermind group is and why they are created, most groups are small groups made up of personal connections and don’t have any need to promote themselves. But here are several popular mastermind groups that helped support the success of some of the greatest thinkers and doers of our time.

The Graham Group: Warren Buffett has a group of his best investing friends get together once a year.  He originally called it the Graham group in honour of his mentor Ben Graham who presented at the first annual meeting in 1968.  By 1991 the group had expanded somewhat to include not only the original fabulous stock pickers but some business luminaries who could help enlighten the group on the nitty-gritty of their industries.

The Inklings: This mastermind group was an informal literary discussion group associated with the University of Oxford, England, for nearly two decades between the early 1930s and late 1949. Members included the likes of C.S. Lewis, author of The Chronicles of Narnia, J.R.R. Tolkien, author of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings.

The Junto: The Junto was a club for mutual improvement established in 1727 by Benjamin Franklin in Philadelphia. Also known as the Leather Apron Club, its purpose was to debate questions of morals, politics, and natural philosophy, and to exchange knowledge of business affairs. They also were a charitable organization who made a subscription public library of their own books. You can see some of Franklin’s core questions here.

Nine Old Men: A mastermind group created by Walt Disney that included its core animator. This group co-created many Disney classics such as Alice in Wonderland, Cinderella, and Peter Pan.

The Vagabonds: According to The Henry Ford Foundation, between 1915 and 1924, Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, Harvey Firestone, and John Burroughs, calling themselves the Four Vagabonds, embarked on a series of summer camping trips. Their primary goal was to learn from one another and their conversations covered a range of topics including business, art, nature, and current events.

The fact that these are popular mastermind groups isn’t the point nor is it the goal. These are just demonstrations of the power of mastermind groups in that they have supported some of the greatest leaders and thinkers in human history.