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cover of Aware: The Power of Seeing Yourself Clearly by Les Csorba

Aware: The Power of Seeing Yourself Clearly

Great leaders don’t just see the path ahead—they see themselves clearly first; mastering self-awareness is the difference between thriving at the top and blindly leading toward failure.

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“What you are aware of, you control.

What you are unaware of controls you.”

The best leaders don’t just master strategy and execution. They master themselves.

In AWARE: The Power of Seeing Yourself Clearly, Les Csorba invites readers into a deeper, more courageous conversation about leadership—the kind that starts not with how we manage others, but how we see ourselves.

Drawing on decades of experience advising Fortune 500 CEOs and boards as a Partner at Heidrick & Struggles—and his early years serving in The White House—Les reveals a hard truth:

Most leaders aren’t as self-aware as they think they are. In fact, research shows only 15% truly are. And when leaders miss what’s inside, they miss what’s ahead.

Through real-world stories, candid interviews with top CEOs, and hard-won lessons from decades in the leadership trenches, AWARE offers a new roadmap:

One that challenges you to confront your blind spots, own your limitations, and lead with greater clarity, resilience, and heart. Inside, you’ll discover:

  • How blind spots quietly sabotage even the smartest leaders—and what to do about them.
  • Why self-awareness without courage doesn’t change anything.
  • How knowing your strengths at a deeper level turns them into true superpowers.
  • Why the health of an organization almost always mirrors the self-awareness of its leader.

Les brings readers behind the scenes from the lens as a lifetime corporate headhunter—from the White House to the boardroom—sharing a wealth of leadership insight shaped by decades as a trusted advisor to the world’s top executives. AWARE is an essential read for CEOs, entrepreneurs, emerging leaders, and anyone who wants to lead with greater clarity, confidence, and lasting impact.

Les’s message is simple but radical:
“What you are aware of, you can control. What you’re unaware of will control you.”

AWARE isn’t just a book—it’s a call to action for leaders ready to do the inner work, show up more fully, and lead in a way that truly transforms the world around them. If you believe real leadership starts from the inside out, this book is for you.

Praise for AWARE

See what readers are saying about AWARE: The Power of Seeing Yourself Clearly

– Jamie Dimon
Chairman and CEO, JPMorgan Chase

“In AWARE, Les Csorba provides a master class on self-awareness and leadership—where confidence meets humility to build true authenticity.”

- The Honorable Chris Wright

"The truth hurts — especially about yourself. We are generally unaware of our blind spots. Or we see them through a self-serving lens. Les Csorba’s peerless acumen will expand your understanding of leadership and, perhaps also, yourself.”

- Don Miller
New York Times Best-Selling Author, and CEO, StoryBrand.AI

“There are many books that will teach you leadership skills, but without self-awareness you will destroy everything you built, erode trust and find yourself hurting people. If every leader read this book, there would be less pain in the world.”

- Darren Woods
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, ExxonMobil

“Les’s book is a valuable reminder about the importance of integrity in leadership. As the interviews in AWARE illustrate, true leadership is about much more than intelligence and talent. It’s also about making informed decisions and having the courage to stand by them. This book is a solid anchor for anyone looking to lead by doing what's right, even when it’s unpopular.”

- Gautam Mukunda
Lecturer of Management Practice at the Yale School of Management and Author, Indispensable: When Leaders Really Matter and Picking Presidents: How to Make the Most Consequential Decision in the World.

"Above the Oracle at Delphi the words 'Know Thyself' were engraved. In this essential book, Les Csorba shows leaders that it's just as true now as it was then - and shows todays leaders how to acquire the self-knowledge that will allow them to be the courageous and ethical leaders the world needs."

- Jean Becker
New York Times Best-Selling Author of “The Man I Knew” and author of “Character Matters … and Other Life Lessons from George H.W. Bush"

“Oh, how I wish I could have read this book during the 25 years I was former President George H.W. Bush’s chief of staff. I, of course, learned so much from him, but reading Les Csorba’s insightful and inspirational “Aware” is like taking a master class in leadership. It should be mandatory reading for every MBA program in the country.”

- Travis Stice
Chairman and CEO, Diamondback Energy

“In AWARE, Les pinpoints a vital cornerstone of great leadership—self-awareness. Drawing on his unique vantage point as a trusted executive recruiter, White House advisor, and confidant to top leaders, he offers a compelling and practical guide for anyone seeking to lead with clarity and purpose."

- Harold Hamm
Founder and Chairman, Continental Resources

"Les Csorba is the master of recognizing potential and placing it where it can shape the future. In this book, he distills a lifetime of wisdom from the highest levels of leadership into something every decision-maker needs to read. No one understands talent—real, game-changing talent—like Les."

- The Honorable Elaine Chao
Former United States Secretary of Labor and Transportation, and former CEO of United Way of America

“What separates good leaders from great ones? Self-awareness. In AWARE, Les Csorba makes the case with clarity, wit, and just the right amount of blunt truth. I’ve known Les since White House days, and for over thirty years he’s been in the room with Fortune 500 CEOs and Boards—helping them confront what they don’t see about themselves. This book is bold, practical, and unforgettable, and you will be reminded that being the smartest person in the room isn’t the same as being the best leader in it.”

- General David Petraeus
US Army (Ret.); former Commander, US Central Command, and NATO/US Forces, and former Director of the CIA

“Self-awareness is a critical quality for leaders at all levels, but particularly for those at the very top,” and Les Csorba’s AWARE: The Power of Seeing Yourself Clearly makes that point very effectively and convincingly."

- Tom Monahan
CEO, Heidrick & Struggles

"My colleague and friend Les Csorba not only proves the value of awareness using both his rich experience and rich data on leader performance, but also lays out ways that this attribute can be cultivated and leveraged. The result is a super valuable toolkit – and a deeply engaging read.”

- Arthur C. Brooks
Harvard Professor and #1 New York Times Bestselling Author

"In AWARE, leadership expert Les Csorba shows that the goal for a leader isn’t to control others—it’s to control oneself. This important book teaches us that real power begins with the courage to look within."

- West Brazelton
Senior Pastor, Grace Bible Church, Houston

“I already knew Les was the real deal, as a leader, husband, father, grandfather, and man of faith; but after reading AWARE, I walked away with fresh, practical lessons on self-awareness that I can apply immediately in my life and leadership. This book is a rare gift. Les weaves together decades of real-world leadership insight with ageless biblical wisdom, helping every reader confront their blind spots and lead with greater clarity, humility, and purpose. Honestly, I’m shocked this book hadn’t been written before—but grateful Les had the courage and calling to write it now. Leaders—and those they serve—will be better because of it."

Awareness Starts Here

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