Leadership isn’t just about vision and strategy. It’s about surviving the invisible power struggles that determine who actually makes decisions, who becomes trusted, and who gets quietly pushed aside. Most leaders fail not because they lack skill—but because they never learned to navigate the wolves in the room. In Outsmarting the Wolves , award-winning organizational strategist Michael S. Newman, PhD reveals the unspoken rules of power inside modern workplaces—and how ethical leaders can win without becoming ruthless, political, or predatory. Blending organizational psychology, executive coaching insight, and real-world corporate case studies, this book equips leaders to thrive in environments where egos, alliances, hidden agendas, and fear drive behavior more than logic or mission. If you've ever wondered why the most competent person doesn’t always rise, why toxic people keep getting promoted, or why culture initiatives fail even when everyone claims to support them—this book gives you the answers. What You’ll Learn ✔ How to recognize the “wolves” in any organization—and predict their moves ✔ Why ethical leaders often lose influence, and how to win it back strategically ✔ The psychology of office politics, manipulation, betrayal, and behind-closed-doors decision-making ✔ Power-mapping: a practical tool to identify true centers of influence (not the org chart) ✔ How to protect yourself from sabotage, gatekeeping, blame-shifting, and information-control tactics ✔ How to build alliances, shape culture, and lead upward—without compromising integrity ✔ The difference between naïve leadership, political leadership, and principled power ✔ How to transform even toxic environments into trust-driven, high-performance cultures Who This Book Is For • Executives, managers, and high-potential leaders • HR and People-Operations professionals who see the politics others pretend don’t exist • Consultants, coaches, and organizational change agents • Anyone who has ever asked: “Why do people behave this way at work?” About the Author Michael S. Newman, PhD, is an award-winning speaker, leadership advisor, CHRO, and organizational development expert known for transforming cultures inside companies where politics, fear, and power have stalled progress. With more than 20 years consulting across corporate, government, and high-growth organizations, he specializes in leadership psychology, ethical power, and strategic influence.