This chapter explores how societal and cultural trends are intensifying the negative effects of power. It shows how leadership has become more demanding, less secure and increasingly performative—conditions that heighten stress, insecurity and the pressure to manage impressions. It explores how these shifts exacerbate power’s worst tendencies, such as overconfidence, detachment and risk aversion. It also shows how power itself has become more complex, precarious and image-driven, attracting more competitive, outcome-focused and impression-conscious individuals. Finally, it explains how a toxic feedback loop has developed between power, context and leadership behaviour that threatens the effectiveness, integrity and trustworthiness of those who wield power.