C-suite or C-level is widely-used vernacular describing a cluster of a corporation's most important senior executives. The term gets its name from the titles of top senior executives, which tend to start with the letter C, for "chief," as in chief executive officer (CEO), chief financial officer (CFO), and so on.The members of the c-suite are typically responsible for setting the strategic direction of their company and overseeing all major operations. They make up what is often considered to be the most powerful group in corporate America. And because their decisions can have a significant impact on a company's bottom line, they are typically well compensated for their efforts.So why is it so important to have strong c-level leadership? Well, according to recent research, companies with effective c-level teams enjoy significantly higher stock prices and operating margins than those without them. In other words, having an effective c-suite can mean the difference between success and failure for any organization.