In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Les Csorba — senior partner at Heidrick & Struggles and author of Aware: The Power of Seeing Yourself Clearly. Drawing on decades advising CEOs, boards, and leadership teams, Les makes a compelling case that self-awareness is not a soft skill but a strategic differentiator. With leaders facing complexity, speed, and pressure unlike anything in recent memory, Les argues that the ability to see yourself clearly has become a true competitive edge.

Throughout the conversation, Les breaks down why so many successful leaders overestimate their self-awareness — and why that gap grows as they ascend into larger roles. He draws from extensive leadership assessments, behavioral research, and personal experience to show how blind spots quietly shape decisions, team dynamics, and organizational culture. His insights on the “CEO bubble,” the tension between intent and impact, and the way digital validation dulls reflection will resonate with any executive navigating today’s environment.

The discussion also explores practical ways leaders can strengthen their self-awareness without resorting to vague platitudes or one-time exercises. Les shares stories from his own leadership journey, examples from well-known CEOs, and a grounded perspective on how to build cultures that make honest feedback possible. His framing of courage, humility, and reflection feels less like theory and more like leadership discipline.

Finally, the conversation touches on timely challenges — from AI’s influence on leader behavior to the importance of understanding one’s “shadow” as a driver of organizational culture. Les brings a balanced, seasoned voice to these issues, offering clarity without overconfidence. For CEOs and senior executives committed to leading with greater impact, this episode offers a set of insights that are as practical as they are thought-provoking.

📗📗Hashtags:
#LeadershipDevelopment #EmotionalIntelligence #LeadershipLessons #ExecutiveLeadership #PartneringLeadership #MikeMears #MahanTavakoli #LeadershipMindset #LeadershipPodcast #LeadershipTransformation #OrganizationalCulture #PsychologicalSafety #NeuroscienceOfLeadership #WorkplaceInnovation #TrustInLeadership #CIALeadership #SmallShiftsBigImpact #ModernLeadership #HRLeadership #PeopleFirstLeadership #LeadershipStrategy #LeadershipMatters #TransformationalLeadership #FutureOfWork #DiscretionaryEffort #LeadershipGrowth #AuthenticLeadership #LeadershipTips #TeamEngagement #WorkplaceTrust #HumanCenteredLeadership #EmployeeEngagement #LeadershipBehavior #LeadershipInAction #CulturalTransformation #HighPerformanceTeams

▶ Website: [https://www.partneringleadership.com/]
▶ LinkedIn: [https://www.linkedin.com/company/partnering-leadership/ ]
▶ Instagram : [https://www.instagram.com/partneringleadership/]
▶ Facebook: [ https://web.facebook.com/DMVchangemakers]
▶ Twitter : [ https://twitter.com/PartneringLead ]

📗📗 𝐖𝐀𝐓𝐂𝐇 𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐎𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑 𝐕𝐈𝐃𝐄𝐎𝐒:
▶ • • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inKveTERpcI&t=723s
▶ • • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bkZgn44bofQ&t=410s
▶ • • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0X_7_Xyl1fw

⚠ 𝐃𝐈𝐒𝐂𝐋𝐀𝐈𝐌𝐄𝐑: We do not accept any liability for any loss or damage incurred from you acting or not acting as a result of watching any of my publications. You acknowledge that you use the information I provide at your own risk. do your own research.

✖ 𝐂𝐎𝐏𝐘𝐑𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓 𝐍𝐎𝐓𝐈𝐂𝐄: This video and my YouTube channel contain dialog, music, and image that are property of "Partnering Leadership "

👋 Thanks for visiting my Channel! 🌟