I refused the suggestion that I should become CEO immediately.

I was capable of reading financial reports and holding executives accountable; I did not pretend that made me better qualified than Simone to run hotel operations.

Instead, I accepted a board leadership role subject to our governing rules, and we began recruiting directors who understood both financial stewardship and the lives of employees.

At my first formal address to staff, I did not mention Lorraine’s threats or Preston’s disgrace.

I told the truth about the company: we had failed to question spending, to listen to concerns, and to respect our own policies.