Creativity and Compliance – Compliance 6-Pack: Part 2-the Listen Like a Thief

May 1, 2026

Tom and Ronnie continue their six part series highlighting the role of improv in compliance. This series links improv lessons to corporate compliance, and some of the key tools and strategies Ronnie has brought from his former world of improv to the corporate compliance communications realm. In today’s Improv & Compliance Lesson 2, they focus on “listen like a thief” as a core active-listening skill for leaders and compliance professionals.

Feldman explains that when authority figures formulate answers too quickly, they miss verbal and nonverbal cues and critical late-breaking “doorknob comments,” undermining trust when people perceive inattentiveness. He recommends listening with the whole body, avoiding interruptions, using a “last word” silent repeat to create a pause, silently saying thank you, and asking clarifying questions before responding. They extend the concept to organizational listening through ethics ambassador/compliance champion networks, tracking hotline and consultative questions, and using surveys that assess speak-up awareness, perceived safety, organizational justice, and trust. They emphasize closing the loop by communicating outcomes through anonymized stories and metrics so employees know they were heard.

Resources:

Ronnie

Learnings & Entertainments (Website)
Compliance Confessions – inspired by “Mean Tweets” these 90-second commercials address misconceptions and excuses to promote speak up culture and the E&C team as positive and helpful.
E&C Training Jams – a soulful singer banters with ethics & compliance explaining policies, sharing examples and debunking excuses.
Tales from the Hotline – Real speak up-themed stories about workplace behavior gone wrong.
Workplace Tonight Show! – E&C meets SNL Weekend Update explaining corporate risk topics and why employees should care.
60-Second Communication & Awareness Shorts – A variety of short, customizable, music and multimedia, quick-hitter “commercials” promoting integrity, compliance, speaking up and the E&C team as helpful advisors and coaches.
Custom Live & Digital Programing – Custom creative programming that balances the seriousness of the subject matter with a more engaging delivery. After all, you can’t bore people into learning.