Like many companies, Enron's core values were painted on walls and displayed in their annual report.

At the time of Enron's collapse the words they used to describe their values were Integrity, Communication, Respect and Excellence.

Look familiar?

Even if not painted on walls,  other failed companies like Theranos and FTX certainly would have used similar words to describe their core values too.  Who wouldn't?

Companies agonize over things like core values only to describe behaviors that should be expected. No one should brag about things like trust, honesty, ethics, integrity, and respect.  These are table stakes. 

Enron, Theranos, and FTX are just a few noteworthy examples of companies that had corrupt morals.  Everything came crashing down as a result.  No amount of feel-good words (core values) could save them.  

It's not what you say or what you write.  It's  what you do and how you act that matter.

If you have core values they need to be enforced. Figure out how to hold people accountable despite their role.  Otherwise, your sacred core values are just a bunch of feel-good words that you might have to eat someday.