re: How did most C-Suite Execs get to that position?

There's no easy answer for this. Some of them deserve it because of merit or the fact they are true leaders of men, some of them are who they knew and some of them are - luck or timing. That said, I have seen some make it because of luck/timing/who they knew and were able to hold on or move up because they reached down and found their leadership. Rare though.