An executive convicted after a possibly fatal auto scandal? You don't see THAT every day.

VW, a top-selling automaker known for its German engineering, clean-diesel technology and strong market share since 1937, cheated emissions testing using software in 11 million vehicles with small diesel engines worldwide. By recognizing when the vehicles were undergoing emissions testing, performance was modified by the software.

You would think a corporation with high-priced "talent" in its executive suites could imagine the risks -- to the corporation if not to consumers or their own employees -- if it crossed the legal line.

Since the Volkswagen crisis broke a few weeks ago, I've discussed the case with reporters, graduate students and business audiences. I have been taken aback by the central misperceptions among these groups.

It is often all too easy to distance ourselves and corporate executives from the wreckage. It's clear that lack of enforcement is a problem in the U.S. and elsewhere, too. Unless we beef up government oversight, it's up to the consumers -- and we simply can't be trusted.