• Why Rationalizing Short-Term Decisions Undermines Trust, Governance, and Long-Term Value

New Jersey, US, 12th January 2026, ZEX PR WIRE, In a new leadership commentary, executive strategist Frank Okunak is challenging a widely accepted but rarely discussed practice inside many organizations: the use of plausible deniability to rationalize decisions that leaders know are ethically questionable, financially misleading, or strategically shortsighted.

According to Okunak, plausible deniability often emerges not through overt misconduct, but through quiet justification. “It shows up when executives tell themselves, ‘We’ll fix it next quarter,’ or ‘This lifts the bonus plan now and we’ll true it up later,’” he explains. “The problem is that intent matters just as much as mechanics.”

Drawing on decades of experience across finance, operations, and corporate governance, Okunak describes a pattern in which leaders knowingly take actions that distort performance in the short term while relying on future adjustments to offset the impact. Common examples include manipulating accruals to meet quarterly targets, signing representation letters while aware of aggressive accounting treatments, or parking intercompany balances on the balance sheet until results improve.

“These decisions are often technically defensible in isolation,” Okunak notes. “But when taken together, they represent a breakdown in accountability. Leaders may not say the words out loud, but they understand exactly what they are doing.”

Okunak also points to extraordinary events such as the COVID-19 pandemic as moments when plausible deniability becomes especially tempting. “Crisis creates cover,” he says. “It allows organizations to bundle legitimate write-offs with unrelated management mistakes, inefficiencies, or bad decisions, all under the umbrella of an external event. Over time, that erodes transparency and trust.”

At the center of Okunak’s critique is the gap between formal compliance and ethical responsibility. He argues that many executives hide behind process, delegation, or technical standards to avoid confronting the intent behind their decisions. “Signing a representation letter while knowing the numbers were engineered to hit a target is not a process failure,” he says. “It’s a leadership failure.”

Okunak emphasizes that plausible deniability is dangerous precisely because it feels reasonable at the moment. Bonuses, incentive plans, market expectations, and investor pressure all contribute to a culture where short-term outcomes are rewarded and long-term consequences are deferred.

“Organizations don’t lose credibility overnight,” Okunak explains. “They lose it one rationalized decision at a time.”

The commentary calls for a renewed focus on moral clarity in executive decision-making particularly in finance, accounting, and performance management. Okunak urges boards, audit committees, and senior leaders to look beyond technical compliance and ask harder questions about intent, timing, and transparency.

“Good governance isn’t just about whether something can be justified,” he says. “It’s about whether it should be done at all.”

Okunak believes that addressing plausible deniability head-on is essential for restoring trust in corporate leadership. Organizations that fail to confront these gray zones, he warns, risk not only reputational damage but long-term strategic fragility.

“Leadership is tested not when the numbers are easy,” Okunak concludes, “but when pressure tempts you to explain away what you already know is wrong.” I have made mistakes and bad decisions along the way but I find it funny or let’s just say hypocritical that so many Executives point fingers and call out others when three fingers are pointing back at them.

About Frank Okunak

Frank Okunak is an executive strategist with decades of experience in finance, operations, and organizational leadership. He advises companies and senior leaders on governance, accountability, and long-term value creation, with a focus on aligning strategy, ethics, and performance.

• • The Church of Scientology of Los Angeles held a Winter Community Event for East Hollywood families to welcome the New Year.

  Los Angeles, California, 12th January 2026, ZEX PR WIRE, Rain forecast for the first week of the year was no stop for the Church of Scientology Los Angeles, who welcomed the New Year with a Winter Festival for the community held on January 1, featuring family-friendly activities and fun for children of all ages.

  

  All activities were held indoors, allowing families to stay warm and cozy. There was no shortage of fun, with a sing-along concert, a bubble show, arts and crafts, face painting, and more.

  Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard wrote in his book The Way to Happiness: “Today’s children will become tomorrow’s civilization.”

  Guided by this principle, the Church of Scientology Los Angeles creates family-friendly events throughout the year where the community can come together and children can enjoy a wide variety of activities in a safe space.

  This festival marks the beginning of a new year, and families and members of the community are invited to attend future community events held throughout the year on L. Ron Hubbard Way.

  In addition to special events, anyone curious to learn more about Scientology and the Church’s community assistance programs is welcome to visit at any time.

  The Church of Scientology of Los Angeles was dedicated by Scientology ecclesiastical leader Mr. David Miscavige in 2010. It is designed to provide the ideal facilities for Scientologists on their ascent to higher states of spiritual freedom and to serve as a home for the entire community and a meeting ground of cooperative effort to uplift people of all denominations.

  To learn more, visit the website of the Church of Scientology Los Angeles or watch Inside a Church of Scientology on the Scientology Network on DIRECTV channel 320, at Scientology.tv, through mobile apps, or via the Roku, Amazon Fire and Apple TV platforms.

  © 2026 CSWUS. All Rights Reserved. Grateful acknowledgement is made to L. Ron Hubbard Library for permission to reproduce a selection from the copyrighted works of L. Ron Hubbard. SCIENTOLOGY is a trademark and service mark owned by Religious Technology Center and is used with its permission. SCIENTOLOGIST is a collective membership mark designating members of the affiliated Scientology churches and missions. Created in USA.

San Ramon, CA, 12th January 2026, ZEX PR WIRE, For many first-time buyers, purchasing a home in the Bay Area can feel out of reach. Tight inventory, fast-moving deals, and rising costs make the process overwhelming. Ryan Weible of San Ramon, a Partner at the Leah Tounger Realty Group, is helping clients break through those barriers with a clear, step-by-step approach grounded in preparation, communication, and local insight.

A Bay Area native with a background in education and the arts, Weible combines people-first values with real estate knowledge to serve buyers who need structure and support during high-stakes decisions. In just his first year in the industry, he closed 12 transactions and built a reputation for helping new buyers stay focused and informed throughout the homebuying process.

“Many of my clients are first-time buyers who don’t come from families with real estate experience,” said Weible. “They’re smart and capable, but no one’s shown them how this works. That’s where I come in.”

Weible joined the Leah Tounger Realty Group in 2024, working under the KW Advisors East Bay brokerage. The team is one of the top-producing groups in the region, with more than $76 million in closed volume in the past year. The team focuses on Oakland, Berkeley, San Ramon, and surrounding East Bay cities.

Weible’s approach begins with listening. From the first consultation, he works to understand his clients’ goals, timelines, financial readiness, and decision-making styles. He builds a plan that breaks the homebuying process into manageable steps—often including lender introductions, neighborhood research, and customized timelines for education and touring.

“People don’t need hype. They need clarity,” Weible said. “I give them a structure so they know what’s coming next and where their energy should go.”

As a San Ramon resident, Weible brings local knowledge to each transaction. He helps buyers weigh tradeoffs between neighborhoods, compare schools, navigate traffic patterns, and assess long-term investment potential. His guidance helps clients stay grounded in both their budget and their values.

Before entering real estate, Weible spent over 20 years in education, leadership, and the performing arts. He served as Assistant Head of School at Bentley School, directed theatre programs across the region, and taught courses in communication and community engagement. He also led safety programs, staff development, and inclusion work in K-12 settings—experience that now translates into careful preparation and patient pacing for his real estate clients.

His past roles taught him to manage pressure, guide group decision-making, and help people stay calm through unfamiliar situations. That training is now a strength when helping buyers handle bidding wars, inspections, or escrow deadlines.

“My job is to hold the space and make the next step clear. That’s what I did in schools, that’s what I do now.”

Weible also operates Hit The Mark Realty and contributes to community resources through Emeryville. Real Estate, a site that offers local listings and real estate education. He partners with KW Advisors East Bay for brokerage services and is licensed throughout California.

He brings a calm, affirming presence to each deal. Many of his clients are navigating more than market pressure—they may be buying solo, relying on gifts or grants, or trying to move from rent to ownership without generational wealth behind them. Weible focuses on access and inclusion by creating an experience where all questions are welcome and no one is left guessing.

“I’ve worked with teachers, nonprofit staff, artists, and healthcare workers—people who give so much but often feel shut out of ownership. We work together to get them there.”

In a competitive market like San Ramon, he emphasizes preparation over perfection. His clients often win homes by being ready early, submitting clean offers, and moving fast—but never recklessly.

“I don’t push urgency. I teach readiness.”

Looking ahead, Weible plans to expand first-time buyer services with group workshops, free planning calls, and a written guide tailored to East Bay buyers. He is also developing partnerships with local lenders and credit unions to streamline access to financing options.

Whether buyers are weeks or months from making an offer, Weible encourages them to start with a conversation.

“You don’t have to know everything. You just need someone who will walk the path with you.”

To learn more or schedule a consultation, visit ryanweiblerealtor.com