In the field of leadership studies, Kellerman argues, the focus has been almost entirely on the positive. But it's important to understand bad leadership too, she says, so we know it when we see it. Those who wish to promote good leadership but fail to look at the bad are, she says, like the physician who wants to "keep people healthy" but is "unwilling to look at pathology, at disease." She stakes out seven categories of bad leadership, from incompetent and insular to old-fashioned corrupt and evil. Case studies include "Chainsaw Al" Dunlap, Marion Barry and Bill Clinton.

Summary by Commonwealth Club staff.