Cheerleaders, coaches and fake gurus

The rise of social media has given everyone with a ring light and a catchy tagline the illusion of expertise.

- FRANCIS J. KONG

Self-proclaimed "gurus" promise life-changing secrets in 60-second videos while showcasing their expensive cars, fancy clothes and questionable motivational quotes.

But as you embark on your journey—whether in business, personal growth, or creativity—you need to discern between two groups: those who truly have domain knowledge and those who just look the part.

And trust me, picking the right ones isn't as simple as clicking "Follow."

Let's set the stage. You're building something great—a business, a career, a vision—and need input. Not everyone deserves a seat at your table. Here's where the distinction matters:

The cheerleaders are the ones who scream, "You've got this!" and throw confetti when you're feeling down. They're your hype squad, the ones who clap even when you're juggling flaming torches and dropping half of them. And they're essential!

Sometimes, hearing "You're amazing!" is precisely what you need to keep going.

But here's the catch: If all you have are cheerleaders, you might become the emperor with no clothes—surrounded by applause but blind to your blind spots. Bless their enthusiastic souls; cheerleaders are like GPS systems stuck on the "fastest route," ignoring the roadblocks and potholes ahead. They give you the confidence to run but rarely help you check if you're running in the right direction.