Shame the leader's not on stage (5)
I believe the answer is:
odium
'shame' is the definition.
(I know that odium is a type of shame)
I don't understand how the rest of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for odium that I've seen before include "reproach" , "Execration" , "Offensiveness" , "Hatred, repugnance" , "blame" .)