An excellent read, assisting the reader in self-identifying how personal dysfunctions can hinder and derail personal leadership, development, and relationships. While the book focuses on Christian examples, mostly pastors, it also uses historical examples (Presidents, world leaders, etc.). Content is easily transferable to secular setting.

This book should be essential reading for all in pastoral leadership. It may not be the best written, and the attempts to pin various patterns of behaviour or psychology on Old Testament leaders jars (and smacks of a rather weak attempt to give it biblical credibility or foundations) - hence only 3 stars.

But having said that, the 5 dark side areas (was I the only one who kept hearing James Earl Jones as Darth Vader whenever those words appear?!) are crucial, if painful, areas for exploration. No one gets off lightly - we all have our dark sides.

No doubt the simple questionnaires to identify one's own tendencies are a crudely simplistic, but the processes for self-examination are a necessary place to start in the pursuit of understanding ourselves better.

It's not easy reading, nor will pride remain intact if applied with honesty. But we, and those we lead, will be all the better for it. I just wish some I could mention would read this...

Decent. Over-emphasis on the effect of dark things in our life. One man was deemed successful, and had not had a moral or public or big or small failure, and yet they said he succeeded as a direct result of his dark side...? It was fine, but a little over-done to me.

This book is a must-read for leaders, especially those involved in Church leadership and para-church organizations. The author delves into the effects of the negative aspects of a person's dark side. He also encourages the leader to develop strengths from those weak areas. Additionally, the appendices provide tools for implementing positive change and accountability practices. The flow of the book is consistent as it draws from biblical and current examples along with information concerning major areas of dysfunction in one's life. This is definitely a four star, excellent material. My five stars are few and reserved for profound and/or classic.

The principles applied are excellent. This book does get a little sense with the constant assessment of other people in leadership and their failures and successes, but I do think having illustrations and life stories provided instead of simply bringing forward the concept was helpful.

Decent. Over-emphasis on the effect of dark things in our life. One man was deemed successful, and had not had a moral or public or big or small failure, and yet they said he succeeded as a direct result of his dark side...? It was fine, but a little over-done to me.