The unprecedented challenges of today-a world-wide pandemic climate disruption on a global
scale and an economic instability that knows no boundaries-require a leadership grounded in a
profound and unflinching awareness of our interconnectedness and the existential stakes before
us. The Path to Authentic Leadership frames the dilemmas of leadership within the insights
provided by the Ouroboros the mythic snake willing to destroy parts of itself so that it can
be renewed. Like the Ouroboros today's leaders must be prepared to enter into a dynamic
uncertain and ever-changing environment with the capacity to reflect adapt let go of what is
no longer working and create solutions that are not only renewing but sustainable. Drawing
from his decades of training in psychoanalysis and the systems-psychodynamic method Kets de
Vries discusses the effects of the pandemic in the context of the seven deadly sins the impact
of shame evil the lure of charisma and even the perils of procrastination. Also he explores
the inner theatre of white-collar criminals and the super-rich. He comments on the role of
magic in management and the paradoxical role of koans serving as catalysts for change. From
there he goes on to outline a path toward organizational transformation turning again to the
self-renewing process presented by the Ouroboros. This dynamic is applied to his 7C sequence
for organizational transformation-Context Confrontation Clarification Crystallization
Cascading Consolidation and Continuity. Its enactment is brought to life through the story of
a troubled CEO and the careful step-by-step advice offered by an experienced executive
consultant. Throughout Kets de Vries reminds us that the path to authentic leadership will be
meaningless unless it is guided by a deeply held commitment to serve as a force for good.
