Today's complex and fast changing times demand new levels of competence and responsibility from appointed and elected leaders - and from the followers who support and enable them. However, when people step into a role with formal authority, the psychological space around them changes in ways they do not expect. People treat them differently and are often reluctant to tell the truth. Leaders themselves may begin to behave in ways that imply they are above the rules, deserve special deference - and they may act in ways to keep power rather than to use it wisely for larger purpose. It is difficult to be a leader today, but when these shadow sides of power step in, there are additional distortions and challenges. In this book, via a story inspired by Dante's Inferno, Patricia McLagan presents 7 shadows that leaders fall prey to, leading them to fail to use, misuse, or abuse their power. But the message is ultimately positive: these seven pitfalls, when the leader recognizes them, can open the door to an enormous wellspring of energy for real impact. There is power in the shadow that leaders can use to better LEVERAGE constructive action today, to accelerate their own personal LEARNING, growth and development, and to leave a LEGACY that they will look back on with pride and satisfaction. It is a short book, a powerful book, and one that is needed for leaders and all of us today - for both private and public sector leadership is in crisis. It is a crisis that holds within it, an immense energy for positive change. But everyone - including the followers that enable leaders - needs to be aware of the dangerously negative but potentially world-changing powers that elected and appointed leaders are dealing with.