Episode 43: The Real Reason You Need a Mastermind (It's Not What You Think) with Leon Barnes
Podcast: Strength in Numbers with Marcus CriglerPublished On: Tue Feb 24 2026
Description: If you are a full-time real estate investor doing 10 deals a month and you want to get to 20, you need to get in a room with someone doing 20.In this episode of Strength in Numbers, Marcus Crigler sits down with Leon Barnes, VP of Membership at The Collective Genius, to break down what a mastermind really does.Listen as he shares how Collective Genius grew from a single-tier group of 100+ operators to over 500 members across four tiers, and why most entrepreneurs think they need more strategies when what they actually need is better systems, stronger leadership, and the right room.Enjoy the show!You’ll Learn How To:Choose the right room for your current level of businessFocus on revenue-producing activitiesUse peer groups as protection against regulatory and market shiftsBuild leadership systems that support long-term growthWhat You’ll Learn in This Episode:(02:32) How Leon went from corporate sales to real estate operator to CG leadership(09:27) Joining Collective Genius and were humbled fast(11:38) Growing from 100+ members to 500+(14:24) Attracting the individual you wanted to attract(17:05) What a mastermind actually is and why most investors misunderstand it(19:14) Why you should be in a room slightly ahead of you(22:28) How CG monitors the “pulse” of the industry in real time(24:03) The growing regulatory pressure on wholesalers and investors(28:05) Real examples of laws that could shut businesses down overnight(31:27) The real “secret sauce” members want right now(34:25) Entrepreneur vs. business owner(36:37) The "gunslinger" trap(39:11) The “Valley of Death” most operators hit in years 3–5(41:52) Get around like-minded individuals(43:13) The simple acquisition metrics that drive predictable growth(45:15) Why CEOs are back to running appointments(47:11) How to make better decisions using your own board of advisors(49:17) Connect with Leon BarnesWho This Episode Is For:Real estate investors who want to level upOperators who are stuck in the hustle phaseEntrepreneurs navigating market shiftsInvestors considering joining a mastermindWhy You Should Listen:If you want better decisions, better systems, and better long-term results, this episode will show you why you shouldn’t try to build alone.Connect with Leon Barnes:Website: https://go.thecollectivegenius.com/explorecgmembership/ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/leon-barnes-79a71652 Connect with Marcus Crigler:Website: https://beccfo.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-crigler-cpa-977a45b7 Facebook: https://facebook.com/marcus.crigler
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