Dear Friend,
Welcome back to the series. Sit back and enjoy the read as we explore what a compliance professional goes through in their line of work.
Let’s be honest with ourselves, compliance sounds boring until you tell someone they can’t do something they’ve always done. That’s when the real drama begins. What people don’t tell you about being a compliance officer in Ghana is that you’ll need more than regulatory knowledge to communicatè effectively. you’ll need a bit of diplomacy, a thick skin, and some agility.
To the main discussion
The role sounds simple on paper however, in practice, it’s more like trying to direct traffic in a town where no one believes in road signs. Yeah, Imagine that!Early in my journey, I realized that compliance isn’t just about rules; it’s purely about power. You see, enforcing rules means challenging long-standing practices and sometimes strong people behind these policies
Cue the awkward silences in meetings, the “You’re new here” smirks, and the “We’ve done this for years without issues”remarks.You will learn that pushing compliance means stepping on egos gently, but firmly. That team resisting change or enhancements are scared of losing autonomy. And let’s not forget the classic line: “You think you know more than us?” Nope. I just know what the Bank of Ghana will do if we keep ignoring these controls.
Navigating these power dynamics requires emotional intelligence. You must learn when to push, when to pause, and when to pull someone aside for a side conversation instead of a public showdown. Don’t only be interested in always playing super power and all knowing.
I’ve found that demonstrating how compliance protects, rather than restricts, people can be highly effective, especially when it seems to them that you’re guiding them to do what they already do, but helping them do it more compliantly. Still, you’ll encounter those who see compliance as a threat to their influence. No two ways about that. That’s when you stand your ground not as an enemy of progress, but as its silent guardian. (They will definitely come back to you when it matters)
Key takeaways
Compliance is like a game of chess. You’re not just playing by the rules alone, you’re playing with personalities, powers and hidden fears. The trick is: Stay professional, stay calm, improve on your emotional intelligence and learn how to communicate to all levels hierarchy and never forget that you’re not there to be liked. You’re there to protect the organization even from itself.
Hope you enjoyed your read! Give three cheers to the compliance officers you know who make a difference.
Share your experiences in the comments section if you’ve had to deal with compliance-related issues.
Comply&Thrive 