Joseph Badaracco argues that literature helps leaders develop personal answers to specific questions. Serious fiction provides fresh, powerful perspectives on the fundamental dilemmas facing today's managers and executives. While reading compelling stories in which memorable protagonists grapple with questions of character, leaders can watch them worry, hope, commit, exult, regret, and reflect, while being tested, strengthened, or weakened. These experiences deepen leaders' self-knowledge, enabling them to be more effective. Badaracco examines eight universal leadership challenges through the lenses of celebrated stories.