How to shake that "compliance police" rep

Let’s be real—no one likes feeling like they’re being policed at work. If your Compliance Team comes off as intimidating or overly formal, people will avoid you like that one coworker who always reheats fish in the breakroom. 🐟🚫 Changing how you communicate can help build trust, increase reporting, and make Compliance feel like a helpful resource instead of a roadblock.

 Source: HBO’s Succession via Giphy.com

How to shift the narrative

When talking to other leaders ⭐

Compliance should be a partner, not a speed bump. When you collaborate, you’re more likely to get buy-in and make compliance part of the business strategy—not just a checkbox.

• Emphasize that Compliance is a partner in achieving business goals, not an obstacle.
• Position Compliance as a protector of both the company and its employees.
• Join meetings, establish regular touchpoints, and learn about other teams' challenges to help find solutions.
• Whenever you must say "no," offer alternative solutions and ways to streamline decision-making.

When Communicating to the Rest of Your Org 👍

People are more likely to follow rules when they understand why they exist. Instead of just saying what to do, explain the benefits in a way that contextualizes it for them.

• Explain the why behind compliance, not just the what—but keep it brief.
• Show the benefits to the individual as well as the organization.

For example, instead of: “You are required to report all gifts immediately.” 

⬇️

Try: “Let us know about any gifts you give or accept right away. It helps protect you from conflicts of interest and preserves trust in your team.” 

Words, tone, and style matter!

Start with inclusive language 🌎

Language shapes perception—use words that feel welcoming and supportive.

• "We," "us," "our," "together"
• "Guidance," "support," "resources"
• "Partnership," "collaboration," "advice," "help"

Use plain language 🪷

Avoid legal jargon, compliance gibberish, and overly formal language.

Source: FX’s It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia via Giphy.com

Sound more conversational 💬

Think “teammate,” not "sergeant." Your words should feel like guidance from a trusted colleague, not a courtroom ruling.

Make it stylish 🪭

It’s no secret that compliance can be a little … dry. But good visuals can make even the most complex or formal information feel way less intimidating. When graphics actually support your message—instead of just looking pretty—they help people understand and stay engaged.

Break up dense content and make your message easier to digest by using:

• Icons
• Illustrations
• Bullet points (so meta!)
• Tables and charts
• Color
• White space

The result? A message that’s not just clearer, but also more effective.

Do what you say and say what you do

Create a Compliance style guide 📋

Consistency makes compliance easier to digest. A style guide keeps communication clear, friendly, and on-brand across all your messaging. Include:

• Visual elements, such as logos, fonts, colors, etc.
• A language guide, such as specific wording, tone guidelines, and examples like those listed in the section above. ⬆️

Then, if there are any questions or concerns about a message’s tone or wording, you can refer to your guide to make sure it aligns with your overall communication standards.

Be relatable in your communications 😎

People are more likely to interact with you if they know a real, genuine, empathetic human being is on the other end of a phone call or email. They don’t want a template response or vague guidance, or worse, to be ignored. 

• Respond promptly. If folks are reaching out to you, they need answers they can act on—fast. Don’t leave them hanging. Respond within 24 hours (the sooner the better!), even if it’s just to acknowledge that you’ve received their email. Then, let them know when they can expect to hear more from you—and stick to that deadline. Timely responses show that compliance is accessible and helpful.
• Make guidance actionable. Don’t just rephrase the law or policy. Give clear, direct, situation-based recommendations so that employees know either a) exactly what to do, or b) how to come to a well-informed decision.
• Show empathy and curiosity. Ask questions, be an active listener, and be sure to fully understand the situation before giving advice.
• Ask for feedback. Communication is a two-way street! Encourage employees to share what works and what doesn’t.

Make yourself visible 👀

Here are just a few examples of how to participate in employees’ day-to-days in ways that feel organic, not forced. 

• Have a presence at new employee orientation. Attend in-person or create an introduction video like our What does the E&C Team do? Video (but for the love of all that’s holy, keep it short and don’t mention the 7 elements of an effective compliance program 🤦🏻‍♀️). 
• Host “Ask Me Anything” sessions. Create an optional open forum for questions in-person or via Zoom/Teams for distributed teams.
• Hold office hours. Allow employees to drop in (physically or virtually) without scheduling a meeting.
• Create dedicated communication channels. Meet your folks where they are by using tools employees already rely on (e.g., Slack, Teams, etc.).
• Conduct live training for hard-to-reach teams. Bring compliance to them!
• Join department staff meetings. Address concerns, collect feedback, and share key updates. But most importantly, listen!

Show ‘em compliance pros are just people. Really fun people. | Source: Apple TV’s Severance via Giphy.com

Final thought

Approachability in compliance doesn’t mean compromising professionalism or downplaying serious risks—it’s about building understanding, collaboration, and trust. Even small changes in how you communicate can shift compliance from feeling like a formality or an obstacle into being seen as a valued partner and resource. And you don’t need to overhaul your entire approach: Start with a single comm, policy, or training and ask yourself, “how can I make this sound more human?” Do that, then move on to the next thing.

We'd love to partner with you on this journey. Let's connect and chat about how we can support your team in making compliance more approachable and effective!