Quote of the year

Intellectual honesty can be difficult to find sometimes when an executive speaks on the public record. In the case of Exxon's Chairman and CEO, Rex Tillerson, honesty last week in the Wall Street Journal ("Exxon tilts to oil again," March 10, 2011) came through with blunt candor. The context was a story describing how when most oil companies are diversifying exploration efforts Exxon has decided to focus on their bread and butter. Here's the quote:

...Rex Tillerson, Exxon's chairman and chief executive, said the company doesn't have a specific preference for producing oil or gas. "There is no bias for us one way or the other. Our bias is to make money."

During a time when big business enjoys low approval, this quote is refreshingly clear. Critics can cry all they want about means to an end in Exxon's case but at least shareholders know job number one. Thanks mainly to a leader who doesn't mince words.

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