Exploring Lessons from the Enron Debacle: Professional Role in Culture and Ethics

Part 1: Understanding the Enron Scandal and Giving Advice to Leaders in Similar Situations

First Part

1.    Read the “Broken Trust: Role of Professionals in the Enron Debacle” case study by Nanda (2003) to become familiar with the Enron scandal.

2.Watch the short trailer to Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room (2005) Official Trailer #1(Movieclips Classic Trailers, 2013) to get a sense of the kind of culture Enron had as an organization.
3.Answer the following question in our graded discussion forum:
Long before Sharron Watkins blew the whistle on Enron, armies of different professionals who served Enron might have noticed that something was happening. Based on your understanding of what happened at Enron, the readings, and your own experience, what advice can you give to leaders who might find themselves in a compromising situation or a corrupt system?

Second Part

1.Based on the articles assigned in this unit and your own experience. Answer the following question in our graded discussion forum. Post your response by mid-week.
“We can not escape the fundamental question, Whom and what is a business for?” (Handy, 2002, p. 5). Briefly elaborate your position on the purpose of business, and explain what ethical leaders can do to ensure public trust in organizations.

Third Part

How have your thoughts changed (or not) based on the comments received. Write two paragraphs that analyze the key points and justify your final thoughts on the topic.
Read the responses you received from your colleagues. Synthesize the responses. What was similar? What was different?