America Quote by James Surowiecki
“Self-dealing, essentially, occurs when managers run companies to line their own pockets instead of those of the companies' owners. It's been a perennial problem in American capitalism and became a real dilemma when America moved toward a model in which corporations would be run by professional managers who had only small ownership stakes.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Wisdom of Crowds, 2004
Managers who prioritize personal gain over shareholders create a conflict of interest that harms corporate governance.
In simple terms: Self‑interest harms company owners.
Key Takeaway
Align manager incentives with owners.
Themes
ethics
corporate governance
conflict of interest
Mood
analytical
cautious
Type
educational
critical
When to use this quote
- investment decisions
- board oversight
- executive compensation
Key Concepts
principal‑agent problem
shareholder rights
Questions to Reflect On
- How can companies redesign compensation to reduce self‑dealing?
- What safeguards can protect owners?
A Different Perspective
Changing incentives is complex and may face resistance.
![“I'll smoke, I'll cough, I'll get the tumors, I'll die, deal? Thank you America. [salutes]” quote by Bill Hicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/3d2/bill-hicks-970_america_i-ll-smoke-i-ll-cough-i-ll-get-the-tumor_655.jpg)
