From 'Guru' to 'Elite'
Now that 'Guru' has unfortunately become a dirty word, I've noticed these slimy ex-gurus are now using the term 'Elite':
- Be one of the Elite
- Join the Elite
- Your opportunity to work with the Elite
Pretty soon all the decent, and meaningful words will be associated with these scummy people that some of us have been fleeced by. (Just had a 'get it out of my system' moment!)
Hopefully the word Ethical will never be abused . . .
Cheers, Caden
P.S. If any of you decent WAers are using the word 'elite', I'm not referring to you (unless you used to be a scummy 'guru', in which case I'd like my money back please:) )
P.P.S."Please note that the word elite in the military sense is fundamentally different from most other uses of the term. A social or societal elite has usually not been picked by anyone except themselves and do not necessarily make part of the elite due to their competence." Wikipedia
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Caden, what is happening with 'Gurus' and the 'Elite' is just a small example of what is happening to language in general. Most business leaders have a language full of meaningless psychobabble and cliches that mean little when analysed.
Politicians increasingly speak to cater for the middle ground, so their words lack real meaning. It is informed by surveys and opinion polls and focus groups to ensure at least 50% to 60% of people are not offended coming up to election time.
In this environment it is easy to declare yourself a 'Guru' or a member of the 'Elite' when people switch off so easily when they hear and read so much rubbish every day.
Just a thought or two from the 'Supreme Leader' of my own sitting room, I think.
Con.
'
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You said it Con . . . or should I say 'supreme leader', (so funny:))
When I went to live in the States (1989-2002) someone made a comment to me and I was unbelievably flattered. Later I quickly came to realized that everyone in the US, at that time, was 'Awesome'!!!! Ah, such is life . . .
On a serious note, your point about people 'switching off' is on the money. I was with some people recently who were providing training, They made zero attempt to greet or build a rapport with the small group. They were there to do their job but not 'switch on' to the people. . . . Does that make sense?
Hope all's well with you.
Cheers, Caden
Unfortunately one word you will never see them use is "Helpers". People that indicate and think of themselves as gurus or as elite, have an ego problem and are definitely not a guru or elite. People define what you are based on what you have helped others accomplish.
I will stick to the word Helper any day of the week...just don't call me a GURU or ELITE.
I call you lots of four and five letter words, but neither of those two make the list. :P R. x
Aw, hoping I'd fall for that and get another *write* ban, huh?! I'm keeping my powder dry until I'm good and ready to blog about "waBerries and Bitcoins...
oh my.... ".... I feel an "All Hallow's Eve Blog Special" coming on, so get yourself a bell, book and candle, you'll need to be armed!!! :P R. x
I had a professor who taught about 'raising heroes'. What he meant by that was hiring people you could train to be better than yourself; to hire people who would eventually out shine you. (This was pre-recession, but the principle is sound.)
I agree with you Kyle, the word 'helper', or heaven forbid 'servant' (as in service), wouldn't occur to them.
In some ways IM is clear cut, those who want to make a quick buck and those who want to help other's succeed. I know who you and Carson are:)
Good spot. Guru was always a poor choice, with it's mystical overtones, and when it was first used (SEO guru etc) it was descriptive and applied by fans. As soon as it was adopted by the gurus themselves it was time to write it off. I think the word "expert" is in the same danger. I would say that writing and SEO were specialties of mine, but to call myself an expert is asking for trouble, and something I'd rather someone said about me and was never used by me.
If ever anyone describes themselves as elite then it signals doom for the word in the same way, especially as it is misused in so many cases. some would describe the Ambassadors here as "elite", but they're not. They're helpful people with the right attitude. Anyone can become one, and as soon as that's the case it loses its allure.
Of course, when I am one I'll rethink.
I hope the word 'expert' doesn't go the same way, just like the word 'specialist' - to me they are corporate words and have specific meanings.
When you become one, and rethink, how about we call you 'supremely elite expert, first class' :) or, Paul, if you prefer!
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Elite is not favorable, too close to elitist which is too dominating. Caden, hope to help.
Perhaps leaders, experts, teachers, helpers, specialists, masters and read somewhere - the big dogs. I favor mentors, since each one I was privileged to learn from made a difference in my life. ^_~
Hi Caylynn. I love the word 'mentor' but that too is being abused (I ranted in a SA article about that word!). I think pretty soon all of them will be abused except for those words that imply some form of humility - to serve, to help etc.
Here's to those people who 'mentored' you in the true meaning of the word. Hope you're doing well. Cheers, Caden