Leadership and Self-Deception by The Arbinger Institute is a book that explores how individuals can hinder their own effectiveness as leaders through self-deception. The core idea is that people often deceive themselves about their own motives and behaviors, which leads them to blame others and create conflicts, rather than taking responsibility for their actions. The book uses a fictional story to illustrate how self-deception works in personal and professional relationships. It shows how leaders can be blind to their own flaws, seeing themselves as the "good" ones and others as the "problem." By understanding and addressing this self-deception, leaders can build better relationships, improve team performance, and create a more positive and productive work environment. Ultimately, the book emphasizes the importance of self-awareness, empathy, and seeing others as people rather than obstacles.