Heidrick and Struggles Partner and former White House Advisor Les Csorba Releases AWARE - A Bold New Leadership Book on the Untapped Power of Self-Awareness

New leadership book features exclusive insights from Jamie Dimon, Darren Woods, Chris Wright, and other titans such as Elon Musk and Warren Buffett who embody radical self-awareness in industry.

HOUSTON, Aug. 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Les Csorba, a senior partner at Heidrick & Struggles—the global leader in executive search and leadership advisory—today announced the release of his new book, AWARE: The Power of Seeing Yourself Clearly. AWARE is a provocative and practical field guide that redefines how we understand—and unlock—leadership.

"In AWARE, Les Csorba provides a master class on self-awareness and leadership, where confidence meets humility to build true authenticity," said Jamie Dimon, Chairman and CEO of JPMorgan Chase. Darren Woods, Chairman and CEO of ExxonMobil called AWARE "a solid anchor for anyone looking to lead by doing what is right, even when it is unpopular."

Drawing on more than three decades of experience advising U.S. Presidents, Fortune 500 CEOs, governors, and global nonprofit leaders, Csorba introduces a powerful leadership thesis: the most transformative leaders are those who marry bold action with deep self-awareness. Based on firsthand insights from the White House to the boardroom, the book reveals how leaders who truly see themselves clearly are best equipped to earn trust, drive change, and create enduring impact.

A centerpiece of the book is a striking finding from a landmark Heidrick & Struggles study of over 75,000 leaders, which found that only 15% are truly self-aware. Csorba calls this the "self-awareness deficit"—a silent crisis affecting corporate, civic, and cultural leadership around the world. AWARE serves as both diagnosis and remedy, offering a roadmap to help leaders confront their blind spots and lead with clarity, integrity, and conviction.

"The importance of self-aware leadership is certainly not new," said Csorba. "What's new is the historic low levels of awareness at the top of organizations," he added, attributing the decline to our narcissistic epidemic and social media age of constant validation. "The digital culture has become the assassin of self-awareness."

"The irony is stark: never have leaders had more tools, feedback, and data to grow in self-awareness—yet our addiction to digital algorithms leaves many more distracted than reflective, and further from becoming the best versions of themselves," added Csorba.

"We live in an age where leaders are constantly seen—but rarely known," said Csorba. "You can be visible to the world yet invisible to yourself. AWARE is about closing that dangerous gap—between the image you project and the leader you actually are. That gap is where trust erodes. But it's also where transformation begins."

With exclusive interviews and never-before-shared stories, AWARE includes candid leadership lessons from Jamie Dimon of JPMorgan Chase, Darren Woods of ExxonMobil, U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright, and others who have turned self-awareness into a strategic asset. Csorba draws meaningful parallels between their journeys and the internal disciplines required to lead at the highest levels.

"Self-awareness isn't a soft skill—it's the most undervalued driver of elite leadership," Csorba added. "When leaders get radically honest with themselves—about their strengths, their shadows, and their purpose—everything changes. Their leadership deepens. Their influence expands. And their teams thrive."

"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," said Tom Monahan, CEO, Heidrick & Struggles. "The result is a super valuable toolkit – and a deeply engaging read."

Just as Angela Duckworth's Grit redefined resilience and Malcolm Gladwell's Blink reframed decision-making, Aware does for self-awareness —confronting leadership's greatest deficit with clarity, urgency, and hope.

AWARE: The Power of Seeing Yourself Clearly is available now in print and digital formats via Amazon and major booksellers. For more information, visit www.lescsorba.com or follow Les on LinkedIn.

About the Author

Les Csorba is a senior partner at Heidrick and Struggles, the world's premier executive search and leadership advisory firm. He previously served as Special Assistant to President George H.W. Bush, advising on key leadership appointments in the State Department, Defense Department, and U.S. Ambassadorships. A sought-after leadership source featured in national media, Csorba has worked alongside top business leaders across the globe and has led high-profile leadership placements for prominent nonprofits and academic institutions. He also serves on the board of the Bettering Human Lives Foundation. AWARE is his most personal and practical book to date. To learn more, visit www.lescsorba.com.

For more information or to schedule an interview,
please contact Coleman Pyeatt at [email protected] or 512.298.4081x709

SOURCE Les T. Csorba