The Real Definition of a Guru

Guru.

Seems to be the term of the day in all the coach bashing that goes on these days on the internet.

This term has become like “clean eating” in fitness circles; no universally accepted definition. Who is a guru? Who isn’t? No one will even answer that.

Obviously the coach bashing the guru coach doesn’t consider themselves a guru, but maybe other coaches DO consider said coach a guru.

Who’s right? I don’t even know what this word means anymore, so I looked it up.

Webster says:

1: a personal religious teacher and spiritual guide in Hinduism

2a : a teacher and especially intellectual guide in matters of fundamental concern
b : one who is an acknowledged leader or chief proponent
c : a person with knowledge or expertise : expert

So, with the coach bashing, guru is unequivocally used to reference a bad, bad person. But the actual definition of guru sure seems positive to me – a teacher, an intellectual guide, an acknowledged leader, a person with knowledge or expertise.

I mean, by this definition, I would have to consider myself, the other LBC coaches and several industry colleagues who I respect “gurus” too.

Can we learn what the word actually means or stop using it in favour of something more appropriate?