Original thinking gets you nominated. Evidence gets you ranked. Our research team weighs published work, originality of method, community following and results people can point to: a culture that shifted, a team that sold more, a habit that stuck. Our revenue comes from advertisers, we never sell list placement or ranks. See the full criteria →
The only ranking that looks like the planet. Nominations and research decide the rankings; our advertisers only pick the banners. Hover or tap a country to see who made the 2026 lists.
The change-makers who have inspired other gurus and made the world a better place.
The world’s best-rated programs for business and people development.
Original frameworks and unique applications from the world’s greatest thinkers, not recycled playbooks. Every episode, three direct questions:
Strong leadership shapes how teams communicate, collaborate and perform, but the skills rarely develop on their own when someone moves into management.
Combines AI with human behavior data to gamify culture change, delivering visible results in as little as 2 weeks. Founder of Directive Communication Psychology, helping leaders and teams think, work and grow smarter.
25 years as CEO of WD-40 Company, building one of the world’s most engaged workforces. “Culture is the promise you make to your people.” Author of Any Dumb-Ass Can Do It.
Military aviator turned keynote speaker. The P.I.L.O.T. Method has sold 40,000+ copies; her 20th book, FLY: First Lead Yourself, lands in 2026.
Former Global Head of Technology M&A at BNP Paribas, now President of Techistential. Author of the award-winning Disrupt With Impact.
Books, programs and conversations from the gurus themselves, and the door in if you think someone belongs on the list.
Start with the 12 powerful books our gurus wrote to help you hit your goals this year.
The highest-rated workshops and keynotes for business and people development in 2026.
How contenders are judged in every Global Gurus category: what earns a place on the list, and what doesn’t.
Presented only to those who have gone beyond “guru” and developed gurus themselves. Earned through a long-standing top-ten position on the Global Gurus lists and a unique contribution to the world.
Also honoured: Ram Charan, Lynda Gratton, Vijay Govindarajan, Barbara Kellerman, Allan Pease. 13 laureates in all.
The world’s top speakers, trainers and thinkers in each field, ranked by our research team.
Nominations are open for the 2027 lists. Read the criteria, submit a name, and our research team takes it from there.
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