I take responsibility for what happened at Enron, both…
“I take responsibility for what happened at Enron, both good and bad. But I cannot take responsibility for criminal conduct that I was unaware of.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
He accepts overall responsibility for his company’s outcomes but denies knowledge of illegal actions.
In simple terms: Accepts overall responsibility but not for crimes.
Distinguish between oversight and culpability.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- board meetings
- public statements
- crisis management
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What is the extent of a leader’s duty to uncover wrongdoing?
- How should accountability be measured when knowledge is limited?
Denial may be seen as evasive or incomplete.