Why do we care about compliance? Compliance expert Kristy Grant-Hart believes everyone connects emotionally to at least one of four primary motivators for buying in to a compliance program.

My previous post highlighted how a strong compliance program can be a competitive difference maker. But for most employees, the university having a competitive edge is not their principal nor sole motivator.

Understanding how you and your team connects emotionally to the motivators, and that the goals of all four motivators are valid, can enhance compliance efforts within your sphere of influence and help WSU fulfill its mission and vision.

Fear for Self centers on the avoidance of personal pain or difficulty. People connect with compliance when they internalize that the answer to "What's in it for me?" is their job, their freedom, or their future. Employees are much more focused on policies when they understand the personal cost of failure. 

Bad things could happen to me personally

• Being fired
• Going to jail
• Not being promoted

Fear for the Business centers on the avoidance of problems in the business. Most employees are protective of the organization for which they work and don't want to see it harmed or its reputation sullied by news reports of illegal or unethical conduct.

Bad things could happen to the business where I work

• Fines levied
• Contracts lost
• Reputation sullied

Noble Cause shifts from problem avoidance to enhancing culture and reputation. Employees want their organization to be the standard against which others compare, and the organization is more likely to be compelled to protect its reputation, and the reputations of its employees, by complying with all laws and regulations.

Strong compliance programs provide a powerful positive culture

•  Sense of purpose
• Part of a movement
• Doing more for community

Competitive Edge centers on an organization using its reputation for effective compliance to gain a business advantage, e.g. we do things right, we don't cut corners. Government grants and contracts will almost always have multiple compliance requirements.

A business advantage can be gained from

• Good governance
• Proper procedures
• Effective compliance

One's personal motivations will be influenced by their responsibilities and role in an organization, and a person may have more than one motivator.

What do you think is the primary compliance motivator at WSU? How does your primary compliance motivator compare to your colleagues? We'll answer those questions next time.