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This Is Most Senior Leaders’ Single Biggest Weakness

If you are serving in a C-suite role (or aspire to one), today’s advice is something you probably haven’t considered

Who you calling weak, pal? | Picture by Author

I wish I had figured this one out while I was still serving as General Counsel of my S&P 500 company.

Looking back, it seems so obvious to me. But it wasn’t at the time. And that’s why I can say with confidence this is a weakness many senior leaders share.

I hope by raising this issue and discussing it openly, I encourage currently serving leaders to help themselves become even stronger in their roles.

So now you’re wondering, “What’s the big issue, James?” It’s this:

Senior leaders have no obvious mentors within their companies

Senior leaders such as C-suite executives are in lonely roles. There is no one inside the company who understands all the issues that they face. And worse, they have little incentive to seek help from within.

I’ll use my experience as General Counsel to illustrate.

The General Counsel cannot discuss many senior management and board-related…