It is 40 years since the first executive self-help book was published, starting a trend that has been disastrous for business
Does anyone need a “thought leader”? If so, you’re in luck.
LinkedIn offers 19,000 people with the words thought leader or leadership in their job title. The social network also boasts an abundance of “CEO coaches”, who appear to far outnumber real chief executives.
Welcome to the world of the business guru, the expensive corporate mini-Messiahs who seek to snare the C-suite in their cults.
The godfather of the gurus, Tom Peters, turns 80 next week – and the book which made him a superstar celebrates its 40th birthday.