Lean In Circles got a lot of women talking, but talking isn’t the same as moving. If you’ve outgrown a monthly peer chat and want real goals, real mentors and real accountability, you have better options. Here’s my honest take on what to do instead, and how to pick the format that fits your goals.
Why Lean In Circles Worked, and Where They Stall
Credit where it’s due. According to Lean In, there are over 170,000 Circles in 180+ countries, and the organization says members get promotions and raises at twice the rate of the general population. That’s a self-reported number, but it points at something true: a small group that shows up regularly makes people braver.
The format is simple. Wikipedia’s overview of LeanIn.Org notes that Circles were originally designed for 8 to 12 peers meeting monthly. The Glass Hammer’s early guide described a rhythm of about 10 meetings a year, alternating between watching a lecture and sharing a personal challenge with the group.
So where does it stall? Peers can only advise you from where they stand. If nobody in your group has run a company, closed a round or sat on a board, you get empathy without a roadmap. Empathy matters (I’m a believer), but it doesn’t replace someone who has already made the call you’re agonizing over.
The model has critics too. As the Wikipedia entry on LeanIn.Org notes, some commentators said Circles expect members to stay positive and skew toward financially well-off women, and some members have had trouble finding a Circle that fits their needs and lifestyle. If that sounds familiar, you’re not being picky. You’re being accurate about what you need.
Key Takeaways
- Lean In Circles are a solid starting point for peer support, but a monthly peer chat rarely gives you senior advice or hard accountability.
- The best alternative depends on your gap: mentors, sponsors, a founder peer group, or someone who simply holds you to your goals.
- You don’t need an exclusive club or a waitlist to get a senior room around you. Free, goal-based options exist.
How to cite this article: McCloud, R. 2026. WomenCEO. 7 Lean In Circles Alternatives for Women Who Want Goals, Not Just Gatherings. https://womenceo.co/article/lean-in-circles/
7 Lean In Circles Alternatives Worth Your Time
I’m not telling you to quit your Circle. I’m telling you to ask what you actually need and match it to the right format. Here are seven, roughly in the order I’d consider them.
1. A goal-based mentorship platform
Peers share. Mentors shortcut. If you want someone two or three steps ahead to tell you what they’d do, start with mentorship. That’s the idea behind WomenCEO: executive mentorship tied to goals you set, free events, and a community you can join without a waitlist. Our guide to how to find a mentor walks through the steps.
2. A paid executive peer network
Some women want a vetted room of senior peers and are happy to pay for it. These networks can be excellent, though many come with waitlists and steep fees. We compared the main options in Chief vs LinkedIn vs WomenCEO. My stance: pay only if the room is genuinely better than what you can build or join for free.
3. Professional associations
Industry bodies give you credibility and a ready-made directory. The trade-off is that they’re broad. You’ll meet people, but you’ll have to do the work of turning a name tag into a relationship. Pick one association, commit to a committee or a board seat, and be known for something there. Ten memberships you never use won’t help you.
4. A small founder mastermind you build yourself
Pick four to six founders at a similar stage, set a standing call, and run a hot seat each time. You choose the members, so nobody gets stuck in a Circle that doesn’t fit. It takes effort to organize, but it’s the closest thing to a custom Circle setup. A good rhythm is ninety minutes every two weeks: ten minutes of wins, thirty minutes on one member’s challenge, then everyone states one commitment before the next call.
5. An accountability partner
Sometimes the problem isn’t advice. It’s follow-through. One person, one weekly check-in, one list of commitments. It sounds almost too simple, and that’s the point. Most of us don’t fail for lack of ideas; we fail because nobody asked on Friday whether we did the thing. Here’s why every goal-setter needs an accountability partner.
6. Live events and conferences
Nothing replaces being in a room. A good event can hand you three real conversations in an afternoon. Use our tips on women networking events to pick well and follow up.
7. A sponsor, not just a mentor
This one matters most for climbing. A sponsor puts your name forward when you’re not in the room. According to McKinsey and Lean In’s Women in the Workplace 2025, 45% of men at entry level have a sponsor compared with 31% of women, and women with sponsors are promoted at 1.7 times the rate of women without. No Circle can replace that.
How the Options Compare
Here’s a quick side-by-side. No prices listed because they change, so check each organization’s own page.
| Option | Format | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lean In Circles | Peer group, usually monthly | First-time peer support | Limited senior advice |
| Mentorship platform | One-to-one plus community | Goal-based guidance | Pick a mentor who fits your goal |
| Paid executive network | Vetted peer groups | Senior peer access | Waitlists and fees |
| Self-built mastermind | 4 to 6 founders, standing call | Founders at a similar stage | You run the logistics |
| Accountability partner | Weekly check-in | Follow-through | Needs a reliable partner |
| Sponsor | Relationship with a senior leader | Promotion and visibility | Must be earned over time |
A Gut Check Before You Leave Your Circle
Don’t ditch a group that’s working just because something shinier showed up. Ask three things. Do you leave meetings with a specific next step? Does anyone in the room know more than you about the problem you’re facing? Would you notice if you skipped a month?
Two yeses mean stay and add something alongside it. Two noes mean it’s time to move. And if the honest answer is “I like the people but I’m not growing,” keep the friends and change the format. That’s not disloyalty. That’s leadership.
How to Choose Without Overthinking It
Ask yourself one question: what is missing right now? Advice, access, accountability or advocacy?
If it’s advice, find a mentor. If it’s access, go to events or a vetted network. If it’s accountability, find a partner. And if it’s advocacy, build a sponsor relationship. Many women stack two: a mentor plus a small peer group works well.
Then give it ninety days. Set one goal, show up consistently and see what changes. Women hold 29% of C-suite roles, according to McKinsey, and that number is unchanged from 2024. It won’t move on its own, and neither will your career.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Lean In Circles and how do they work?
Lean In Circles are small peer groups where women meet to learn and support one another. Most meet monthly and use discussion guides and a leadership curriculum from Lean In. You can join an existing Circle or start your own.
Are Lean In Circles still worth joining?
Yes, if you want peer connection and a low-pressure start. They’re less useful if you need senior advice, sponsorship or tight accountability, which is when an alternative makes sense.
What is the best alternative to Lean In Circles for women founders?
For most founders, a goal-based mentorship platform or a small mastermind of founders at a similar stage works best. Pick based on whether you need advice or peers.
Do Lean In Circles cost money?
Lean In’s Circles page doesn’t list a fee for starting or joining a Circle, and it describes Circle Leader Training as a free virtual session. Costs can differ if a group meets at a paid venue or event.
How big should lean in circles be?
The original design called for 8 to 12 peers. Smaller groups of four to six make it easier to schedule and go deep, which is why many women build their own version. Whatever size you choose, protect the rhythm: the groups that last are the ones that put the next meeting on the calendar before the current one ends.
Can I start my own alternative to Lean In Circles?
Absolutely. Invite a handful of women at your stage, agree on a goal, set a recurring time and rotate who brings the challenge. Keep it simple and keep showing up.
References
- Lean In. (2026). Lean In Circles. https://leanin.org/circles/
- McKinsey & Company and LeanIn.Org. (2025). Women in the Workplace 2025. https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/diversity-and-inclusion/women-in-the-workplace
- Wikipedia. (n.d.). LeanIn.Org. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LeanIn.Org
- The Glass Hammer. (2013). Lean In Circles: What are they and why should you join one? https://theglasshammer.com/2013/05/what-are-lean-in-circles-and-why-should-you-join-one/