The Lure of Designated and Self-Proclaimed Gurus

1) Hindu or Sikh religious teacher: in Hinduism and Sikhism, a religious leader or teacher

2) Leader of religious group: a spiritual leader or intellectual guide for a religious group or movement, especially one not considered mainstream.

3) Influential expert: somebody who has a reputation as an expert leader, teacher, or practitioner in a particular field.

4) Revered teacher and counsellor: a person's revered guide, mentor, or adviser in spiritual or intellectual matters

~ Encarta World English Dictionary

I have never been comfortable with the term ‘guru’ in business, management and leadership. In Asia, a guru is a ‘teacher’. In the western context, guru connotes an expert and one who is successful in a field of endeavour. Here is an explanation of guru through a spiritual guru, who questions the validity of a car guru, political guru, computer guru, and more. The use of the term has become blasé and diminished, although it is a great word with enormous gravity of meaning.

I think that it is time to review terminology and definitions. Just because something is accepted does not make it contemporary and precise. For instance, the word entrepreneur means more than a small business. Many mistake business for entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurship is more than started a home-based business or a solo operation.

It is so easy to buy into the influence of a guru. That is why self-help junkies buy the latest offerings of their favourite author or motivational speaker. It does not help much if the book is promoted by somebody as influential as Oprah Winfrey in her Oprah’s Book Club. Granted that the occasional psychological ‘jab in the arm’ works its motivational magic on us, it is not sustainable. The most effective motivation comes from self-motivation, encouragement and feedback.

You have a lot to live up to if you proclaim and accept yourself as a guru. You are expected to live up to your code of ethics, and core values becoming of a leader. You have to be consistent, and match word for action. You will need to appear to have all the answers, or at least, the clever questions. You will want to offer both abstract as well as concrete responses. You cannot hide behind a curtain of mystery, without the substance. You must demonstrate behaviors of worth that are substantial and solidifies your reputation and personal branding.

Review what you believe. Stop accepting everything without question, or critical thinking – even if it stems from the wisdom of the gurus. If you seek a guru, ensure that he/she brings out the best of your natural talents and potential you can realize.