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

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Irrational confidence. I doubt myself way too much to get to that level.

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It’s this. My last boss could lose 100 straight times and he’d bet everything he had on winning on his 101st try. He never even considered that something couldn’t go his way.

I think it just comes with experience, and in a lot of companies, tenure.

Every 10-15yrs a senior retires and a younger man or woman gets promoted. Be an eager company man with good people skills and you’ll get there eventually.

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I'm 38

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so I'm starting to look at my career the next 25-30 years

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That's a depressing thought. My plan is out by 55, at the latest.

To your question, lots of the luck mentioned, and I've noticed a big form of that luck is people ahead of you leaving and you just floating upward. For some that never happens, others hit all the ladders on the board.

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Knowing the right butts to kiss

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Most of the time it doesn't even take that much. Really it's just knowing who not to rub the wrong way. I've seen some productive, highly intelligent people get passed over because they were always the one to call out leadership when they saw something they thought was wrong. Some were more right than not, but the approach was abrasive.

More broadly, often times having a more positive disposition and a more subtle and strategic way of communicating difficult things will take you higher than raw talent or technical skills.

The c-suite people I have direct experience with are all amazing with communication and messaging. They also have a clear understanding of how to manage an issue from top/down. There is an aspect of luck to it all too

Studying and practicing leadership is a real thing. It takes a lot of time some people don’t want to do, like myself. I am middle management right now will probably end up one/two rungs below c-suite for my career. And I am good with that.

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Owning my own business doesn't seem like it will ever happen

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There's your answer. You have to be willing to take the risk. You have to be willing to put your own nuts on the line. I started a million dollar company 10 years ago with $8,000 of my own money, put in the blood and sweat to build it, took losses out of my own pocket, and always looked upward and forward. I now have multiple offices across Texas, and for the most part, simply enjoy my life and fruits of my labor. Its still work, but I do what I want, when I want. I'm now on a national level of electrical contractors and own one of the best in Texas. I had a vision, put in the time and resources, and made it happen.

When people look at what other people have, are envious and say things like, "must be nice," or "they were just in the right place at the right time," that removes the accountability and responsibility of the risk those people take that other people are not willing to take.

FWIW, I make every administrative/executive-level employee of mine read four books: Extreme Ownership, Dichotomy of Leadership, Leaders Eat Last, and The Infinite Game. The reason books seem to contradict each other is because people become successful by doing what is in line with their morals and principles. Those books line up with my morals and principles, how I want my company to operate, and what I want to pass on to those that are taking the next steps in their lives/careers.

If your good it is life flexibility but watch out for that one cock sucker boss who blocks you or puts you on the block....I had the opportunity once to move up big, my kids were 8-13 and I declined to stay in sales...glad I did

I hope things work out for you. There have been a lot of useful comments in the thread in my opinion. I have been a CEO in four companies, COO, President, VP of Sales and head of Marketing in multiple healthcare companies. I have been fortunate to learn from some great leaders and great managers. That has been the key. Take the good stuff and avoid the bad things that you see and seek out those that behave and have the types of positions and attributes that you aspire to. Focus on delivering results, understanding exactly what you need to do to make your boss and his/her boss successful and take on the tough assignments. Be great to the people that work for you and the ones that you work with and challenge and pull along those people who want to do more and improve their positions and outcomes. Seek out mentors, solicit input and advice continuously. The most important things once doing that is treat everyone with dignity and respect, deliver results and record the statistics, $$'s and people that you have developed throughout your career for your resume and interviews. Ultimately that is what the Board will want, someone who can build a great culture, develop, attract and retain talent and achieve and surpass the financial goals of the organization.

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

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Trust. Depends on the company, but for those that are mostly privately held, relatives are held close to the top. For public companies, those that you’ve become friends with and can trust to have your back.

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You don't get to that level in any organization without having some sociopathic tendencies.

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….or know how to handle and work around these jackholes.