>This leads to people and companies cargo-culting the behaviors of well-known rich people and businesses, expecting success.

I'm betting those business dudes are networking with people who share similar views more often than not. So if you get a large portion buying into what the books are selling, that will probably predict who they choose to network and work with [citation needed]. The network can then cushion your failures and amplify your successes.

Bonus points if you bring your Ivy League papers to the table, of course.