Before we start, a note. The author acknowledges that the activities of the NXIVM cult extended far beyond their wellness and development programmes. Beneath the polished and inviting veneer of its self-help roots lay a web of horrifying and criminal intent. This article does not explore the tragic realities of that underbelly, but instead focuses on the grassroots exploitation within NXIVM’s public-facing activities.
If you or anyone you know is experiencing abuse of any kind, please seek the advice of your local police or health authority.
This article represents the author’s personal views and does not necessarily reflect those of OnTrack or its employees.
If you or anyone you know is experiencing abuse of any kind, please seek the advice of your local police or health authority.
This article represents the author’s personal views and does not necessarily reflect those of OnTrack or its employees.
When it comes to personal development, there are specialists and there are ‘specialists’. The last thing your life needs is the latter. The internet is overflowing with more experts, coaches, specialists, and gurus than a political Cabinet. And while your personal party conference won’t decide the fate of the free world, bad advice at any level can wreck lives.
The problem is, it’s hard to spot a true Development Charlatan. They disguise themselves with clickbait courses, TikTok slogans, slick marketing, and viral memes; making empty promises that sound profound but deliver little… Which brings us full circle to those sundry political advisors.
We don’t always get to choose the training offered to us by our employer. Or maybe we do. Maybe we’re the ones doing the choosing for everyone else. Either way, you can spot the warning signs of bad or toxic training. And because personal growth isn’t a destination, it isn’t restricted to the hours between when we start work and when we go home; discernment is key in curating our personal development journey. From all the TED talks, Open University courses, YouTube ads, SPAM, pop-ups, profound LinkedIn posts, and those “My friend knows of this guy” moments, we need to know what is helping and what is harming.
The problem is, it’s hard to spot a true Development Charlatan. They disguise themselves with clickbait courses, TikTok slogans, slick marketing, and viral memes; making empty promises that sound profound but deliver little… Which brings us full circle to those sundry political advisors.
We don’t always get to choose the training offered to us by our employer. Or maybe we do. Maybe we’re the ones doing the choosing for everyone else. Either way, you can spot the warning signs of bad or toxic training. And because personal growth isn’t a destination, it isn’t restricted to the hours between when we start work and when we go home; discernment is key in curating our personal development journey. From all the TED talks, Open University courses, YouTube ads, SPAM, pop-ups, profound LinkedIn posts, and those “My friend knows of this guy” moments, we need to know what is helping and what is harming.
At the risk of sounding alarmist, it’s through years of experience sharing academically sound and trusted development training that we’ve come to recognise the influence of bad advice.
The depths of this can run deep. An example of that is at its most extreme with the NXIVM cult - a vivid warning of just how easily the line between evolution and exploitation can be blurred when disguised with reputable theory.
The cult of charisma
NXIVM (pronounced Nexium) was founded by Keith Raniere and Nancy Salzman in 1998. Initially presented as a self-improvement company aimed at offering the “Executive Success Program” or ESP, it was designed to facilitate self-improvement.
At the centre of NXIVM, Raniere demonstrated a level of intelligence and charisma so strong that people flipped from admirers to followers to captives. Soon, those who started on a path to self-improvement were indoctrinated and often trapped in a circle of unimaginable humiliation and torment. Raniere was a master manipulator, wielding cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and goal-setting frameworks. NXIVM, it turns out, was not for growth, but for control.
And here’s the rub. Charm and charisma (because they are two distinctly different skills) can be gold in the L&D world. Hell, we even recruit consultants because they are some damn charming or charismatic. It motivates and inspires people. But Raniere’s charm was nefarious, and the structure of what was taught at the ESP was a gateway to a pyramid scheme of obedience and silence. The NXIVM cult lay beneath this thin veneer, and it generated droves of slaves and financial capital for its founders. Seen as more god than guide, Raniere subverted and exploited almost every single developmental tool that we commonly rely on for the foundations of genuinely helping people.
Sounds extreme, right? Irrelevant to you! But with me, here. Because the reality is, you likely won’t end up having your life destroyed by some Crypto-bro teaching leadership courses online. But what you might do is pick up some bad habits or gain a distorted world view that could permanently change who you are, how you work, and the way others perceive you in the workplace.
At the centre of NXIVM, Raniere demonstrated a level of intelligence and charisma so strong that people flipped from admirers to followers to captives. Soon, those who started on a path to self-improvement were indoctrinated and often trapped in a circle of unimaginable humiliation and torment. Raniere was a master manipulator, wielding cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and goal-setting frameworks. NXIVM, it turns out, was not for growth, but for control.
And here’s the rub. Charm and charisma (because they are two distinctly different skills) can be gold in the L&D world. Hell, we even recruit consultants because they are some damn charming or charismatic. It motivates and inspires people. But Raniere’s charm was nefarious, and the structure of what was taught at the ESP was a gateway to a pyramid scheme of obedience and silence. The NXIVM cult lay beneath this thin veneer, and it generated droves of slaves and financial capital for its founders. Seen as more god than guide, Raniere subverted and exploited almost every single developmental tool that we commonly rely on for the foundations of genuinely helping people.
Sounds extreme, right? Irrelevant to you! But with me, here. Because the reality is, you likely won’t end up having your life destroyed by some Crypto-bro teaching leadership courses online. But what you might do is pick up some bad habits or gain a distorted world view that could permanently change who you are, how you work, and the way others perceive you in the workplace.
The NXIVM approach
We scroll. We binge-watch 60-second career boosts that promise to change our entire lives. Influencers wield catchphrases like "hustle harder," "manifest your dreams," or "level up your mindset”, all while selling courses on how to ‘Meditate Your Way to CEO’.
Look for transparency.
Look for transparency.
Legitimate L&D suppliers don’t hide their methods behind jargon, secrecy, or pressure tactics. They invite questions, not isolation, and emphasise your growth — not their follower count.
Anyone who operates within the L&D circle might well cite a few names on a regular basis. Names of L&D royalty, if you will. But many of these respected celebrity names still operate within a world of academic rigour. And they are respected rather than worshipped. Their ideas are peer-reviewed. Analysis and research are used to back up ideas. Counterarguments are supplied. It isn’t illegal to make money from an idea, but those worth their salt often offer most of their intellect for free. It’s the execution, the customisation, the granular understanding that you pay to learn. Equally, good L&D professionals will cite multiple sources.
Think of your personal development like that of Daniel LaRusso in the 1984 film The Karate Kid. Mr. Miyagi offers to train Daniel in the ways of karate for free. He may have wangled a clean car and a nice new garden fence out of the deal, but Miyagi doesn’t hold his knowledge behind tiers or paywalls. He doesn’t offer to ‘upgrade’ the basic teaching with further courses on Eastern philosophy or Chopstick mastery – it’s all part of the package. And Daniel is free to seek other advice. To stress test his learning. Even, dare we say it, open to sprinkle in his own additional development from the psychological skullduggery of resilience.
Think of your personal development like that of Daniel LaRusso in the 1984 film The Karate Kid. Mr. Miyagi offers to train Daniel in the ways of karate for free. He may have wangled a clean car and a nice new garden fence out of the deal, but Miyagi doesn’t hold his knowledge behind tiers or paywalls. He doesn’t offer to ‘upgrade’ the basic teaching with further courses on Eastern philosophy or Chopstick mastery – it’s all part of the package. And Daniel is free to seek other advice. To stress test his learning. Even, dare we say it, open to sprinkle in his own additional development from the psychological skullduggery of resilience.
NXIVM didn't invent personal development; they weaponised it. Their "Executive Success Program" borrowed familiar L&D lingo: CBT, goal setting, emotional intelligence, and mindfulness. But there was a dependency that was born from this programme. Raniere and Salzman were, of course, motivated to “recruit” and “promote” to the deeper, darker levels of their cult. But even for those who did not venture down that road, the “Executive Success Program” embedded a level of dependency on the ‘experts’ that every professional should learn to recognise and reject.
Raniere and the legions of online ‘gurus’ are often selling style over substance. And the reality is, most of the day one teachings will manifest some level of success for the user. A quick buzz, if you will. That is the bait before the hook.
One of the common activities at ESP sessions was based on the practice of Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. Typically, this is the practice of recounting a trauma or negative emotion in a one-to-one session with a therapist so that it can be addressed, and healing can begin. Within the confines of the ESP, it was relabelled ‘Exploration of Meaning’ or the EM method. With the EM method, a person would unearth their trauma not in a safe space with a trained therapist, but to a group of fellow ESP members. When this was deemed sufficient and classed as a breakthrough, the audience would clap and cheer.
Raniere and the legions of online ‘gurus’ are often selling style over substance. And the reality is, most of the day one teachings will manifest some level of success for the user. A quick buzz, if you will. That is the bait before the hook.
One of the common activities at ESP sessions was based on the practice of Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. Typically, this is the practice of recounting a trauma or negative emotion in a one-to-one session with a therapist so that it can be addressed, and healing can begin. Within the confines of the ESP, it was relabelled ‘Exploration of Meaning’ or the EM method. With the EM method, a person would unearth their trauma not in a safe space with a trained therapist, but to a group of fellow ESP members. When this was deemed sufficient and classed as a breakthrough, the audience would clap and cheer.
According to therapist Kelly Scott, "The group is providing influence and pressure on the person to expose themselves. They're getting positive reinforcement when they do [expose themselves]. People are cheering, people are smiling, people are reinforcing it."
This must have been a moment of acceptance for people. A feeling of growth. But it was a façade.
This must have been a moment of acceptance for people. A feeling of growth. But it was a façade.
The truth is, “this framework only turned vulnerability into a commodity or highly valued currency.” A currency that would later be exploited by Raniere and his followers. A momentary “breakthrough” rendered moot, with minimal positive outcomes for the individual in the face of financial or sexual blackmail months later.
So, while you might have learned something empowering about being your own boss by ‘Owning Your Colleagues’ from a £200 course you took one afternoon donating to Patreon, it doesn’t mean that you’ve learned something valuable. Even if they did manage to name-check a respected authority on the matter and “disprove” their theories. That’s the difference between professional mentors and Development Charlatans. One teaches, and the other divides. And that was a huge indicator of what made NXIVM so dangerous.
Snake oils and Potemkin villages
The most dangerous aspect of personal development is that it sits in the overlap between common sense, psychological conditioning, and emotional satisfaction. It is not a ‘hard science’ in the classical sense. We talk of trends, but we can’t predict. We consult evaluations, but we can never truly eliminate subjectivity. Therefore, its biggest strengths can also become L&D’s worst weaknesses. That’s why your LinkedIn feed can sometimes feel like an endless labyrinth of doublespeak and word salad.
Among other things, there is a simple litmus test you can try when shopping for development and training materials:
• Does the program shy away from independent evaluations or external oversight?
• Are participants encouraged to isolate from family or friends?
• Is there a cult of personality around the facilitator, with little room for critique?
• Is recruitment a bigger focus than individual development?
• Is jargon used without clear, practical applications?
Straw man arguments often don’t fare well under pressure. Do your research. It is easier to make something look respectable than it is for it to actually be respectable. And let’s include AI in this mindset as well. After all, it is fundamentally an algorithm. A well of information polluted by millions of patterns, oddities, assumptions, and ruminations. You wouldn’t use Wikipedia as your main source of knowledge, so don’t assume ChatGPT is much more sophisticated. It is a tool like anything else.
Among other things, there is a simple litmus test you can try when shopping for development and training materials:
• Does the program shy away from independent evaluations or external oversight?
• Are participants encouraged to isolate from family or friends?
• Is there a cult of personality around the facilitator, with little room for critique?
• Is recruitment a bigger focus than individual development?
• Is jargon used without clear, practical applications?
Straw man arguments often don’t fare well under pressure. Do your research. It is easier to make something look respectable than it is for it to actually be respectable. And let’s include AI in this mindset as well. After all, it is fundamentally an algorithm. A well of information polluted by millions of patterns, oddities, assumptions, and ruminations. You wouldn’t use Wikipedia as your main source of knowledge, so don’t assume ChatGPT is much more sophisticated. It is a tool like anything else.
Recognising the good stuff
Good L&D isn’t about zealotry or exclusivity, it’s about:
• Psychological safety. Real growth happens when failure isn’t a scarlet letter but a classroom.
• Critical thinking. Don’t just swallow the wisdom; digest, question, and discuss.
• Balanced leadership. Coaches and facilitators who flex empathy alongside authority.
• Ethical clarity. Methods that prioritise respect for participant well-being and boundaries.
If it sounds too cult-like, too obsessive about recruiting, step back. Healthy development isn’t a secret society. We might be an army of nerds, but we’re not elitist. The L&D world is about helping people, drawing them closer together.
Ultimately, the truth is, organisations recruit us to help increase their bottom line. But just because your organisation wants stronger annual returns, it doesn’t mean that the training it offers you is transactional.
In fact, some of the most successful companies in the world achieved their success by caring for their employees, and genuinely wanting the best developmental techniques and theory for them. That is why the world’s best seek professional help.
• Psychological safety. Real growth happens when failure isn’t a scarlet letter but a classroom.
• Critical thinking. Don’t just swallow the wisdom; digest, question, and discuss.
• Balanced leadership. Coaches and facilitators who flex empathy alongside authority.
• Ethical clarity. Methods that prioritise respect for participant well-being and boundaries.
If it sounds too cult-like, too obsessive about recruiting, step back. Healthy development isn’t a secret society. We might be an army of nerds, but we’re not elitist. The L&D world is about helping people, drawing them closer together.
Ultimately, the truth is, organisations recruit us to help increase their bottom line. But just because your organisation wants stronger annual returns, it doesn’t mean that the training it offers you is transactional.
In fact, some of the most successful companies in the world achieved their success by caring for their employees, and genuinely wanting the best developmental techniques and theory for them. That is why the world’s best seek professional help.
Look at the type of training you receive, and ask yourself, “Am I being taught healthy, ethical ideals?”. Chances are, if you’ve received training from us or other reputable L&D professionals, then the answer is, “yes.”
Let’s get critical
No algorithm will save you from the glut of easy promises. Your best defence is knowledge and scepticism, heightened by stories like NXIVM’s.
There are numerous examples out there that serve as a grim reminder to ask not just what’s promised, but who’s promising it, and how.
Great L&D can be transformative. But it demands guardrails and hard work. It requires ethical facilitators, transparent methods, and participant-first mindsets.
So next time a self-proclaimed ‘expert’ offers you the “secret to success”, channel your excitement into one of rigour. Kick the tyres. Ask around. Do some research and see how it measures up against those you know you can trust. And if you make a poor choice, you can always find a way out. There are more true experts out there than there are Development Charlatans, and we’ll always be here to undo the damage, repair the situation and help you on a path to meaningful growth.
There are numerous examples out there that serve as a grim reminder to ask not just what’s promised, but who’s promising it, and how.
Great L&D can be transformative. But it demands guardrails and hard work. It requires ethical facilitators, transparent methods, and participant-first mindsets.
So next time a self-proclaimed ‘expert’ offers you the “secret to success”, channel your excitement into one of rigour. Kick the tyres. Ask around. Do some research and see how it measures up against those you know you can trust. And if you make a poor choice, you can always find a way out. There are more true experts out there than there are Development Charlatans, and we’ll always be here to undo the damage, repair the situation and help you on a path to meaningful growth.
You can learn about the experiences of those who escaped the NXIVM cult from whistleblowers such as Sarah Edmondson:
