The psychologists and spiritual leaders I've been most impressed with are all people who are not famous and probably never will be, because they don't seek fame or widespread recognition, and weren't blessed with the charm or connections required to become household names. They're in it for the a genuine love of what they do, and out of a heartfelt compassion for those they serve.
As a physician, I don't care if I never sell a bestselling health book or appear on TV. I don't care if I'm never in a magazine's list of top doctors, and it's not in my list of life goals to have a procedure, medical tool, or disease named after me. It's enough for me that my patients live better lives because of what I do for them.
Not to sound like a hipster, but in my experience a lot of the world's most awesome and extraordinary people, in all fields of endeavor, are people you've probably never heard of. If you want to find a high quality whomever, try looking down on the ground, not up in the aeries of the treetops. Seek out circles of ordinary, unassuming folks who happen to be very passionate about the subject you're seeking expertise in, and get some word-of-mouth advice from them about whom they trust and respect. This is not to say you won't get some bum steers -- people have all kinds of reasons for being impressed with someone, and it's not always the same criteria you have for being impressed. This is also not to say that people who are household names have nothing worthwhile to say. Just never forget that fame and renown are powerful drugs, which can make a people say and do things for reasons other than a pure and innocent love of their craft, or a genuine concern for their clients.
Early on in our relationship, my wife and I went to a packed stadium to hear the Dalai Lama speak. I was incredibly unimpressed with him as a source of spiritual inspiration or better perspectives on life that I could put to use. Now, if I'd been introduced to him as a politician and a head of state (which is what he is first and foremost, and what he does best, IMHO), I would have been more impressed. His spiritual shtick supervenes upon his primary interest, which is advocating for his people.
