Tag: cross-functional collaboration

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Positivity in Compliance: Fostering a Culture of Collaboration

Maintaining a positive attitude in compliance programs is crucial for effective interactions and perceptions within the field. In a recent episode of ‘Creativity and Compliance‘ co-hosted by Tom Fox and Ronnie Feldman, the importance of positivity in compliance was discussed in depth. The episode highlighted how focusing on positivity can transform the image of compliance professionals from being seen as restrictive to being viewed as business enablers who collaborate with other departments to achieve ethical business goals.

One key aspect emphasized in the episode is the role of creativity and humor in enhancing communication, engagement, and behavior change within compliance programs. Compliance professionals can employ positive reinforcement strategies to drive ethical behavior and foster a more engaging environment by incorporating creative elements from everyday activities and infusing humor and positivity.

Leadership’s positivity, particularly from a Chief Compliance Officer (CCO), is a significant factor in influencing a compliance function’s overall tone and culture. An optimistic approach from the CCO can set the tone for the entire compliance team, encouraging collaboration and ethical behavior throughout the organization.

Whether you consider the compliance function of Debbie Downer or Dr. No from the Land of No, a corporate compliance function is often characterized by negativity and strict enforcement. It is seen as the Land of Business Non-Development. By shifting towards a more positive and solution-oriented approach, compliance professionals can reframe their role as facilitators of business success while upholding ethical standards. This change in attitude can improve the effectiveness of compliance programs and boost employee morale and engagement.

Quotes from the episode further emphasize the importance of positivity in compliance. “People like being around people that are positive, that are energizing, that are solution-oriented,” highlights the impact of positive interactions on employee engagement and relationships within the organization. Additionally, the quote, “The main evolutionary significance of humor is it gets us from the closed mode to the open mode faster than anything else,” underscores the role of humor in fostering a more open and collaborative environment within compliance programs.

This does not mean a compliance professional must walk around all day with a smile from ear to ear. It means a positive attitude towards working with others in your organization to accomplish goals. It all focuses on fostering relationships. What is your relationship with the business development team members, the finance department, HR, or any other corporate function? One of my favorite strategies is from Russ Berland. Buy pizzas for lunch. Almost everyone loves pizza, so it’s hard to go wrong with pizza for lunch.

Always remember that you want others in the organization to pick up the phone and call you, or if you are back in the office, to stop by and talk to you if they have questions. They are much more likely to do so if there is some personal relationship or connection. Louis Sapirman used to talk about planes, trains, and automobiles. In other words, get out of the corporate headquarters and meet employees where they work. They are, after all, your compliance customers. You might not be able to meet your employees in such a pre-pandemic manner, but the point is still the same; to meet your employee, compliance customer base.

Maintaining a positive attitude toward compliance is essential for building a culture of collaboration, engagement, and ethical behavior. By embracing creativity, humor, and positivity, compliance professionals can enhance communication, drive behavior change, and ultimately contribute to the overall success of compliance programs. Leadership’s positivity, particularly from the CCO, is crucial in setting the tone for the compliance function and fostering a more positive and engaging environment. Organizations can create a more effective and ethical compliance program that resonates with employees and stakeholders by prioritizing positivity in compliance.

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Principled Podcast

Principled Podcast – S9 E 19 – The Value of Cross-Functional Collaboration for Compliance Program Effectiveness

What you’ll learn on this podcast episode

As the regulatory environment continues to evolve and organizations adapt, it is becoming increasingly important for ethics and compliance professionals to break down department silos.  But how do you do that effectively when so many stakeholders are involved? How do you develop a stronger network of assurance partners inside your organization? On this episode of LRN’s Principled Podcast, host Dave Hansen talks about the impact of cross-functional collaboration on program effectiveness with Tony Tocco, the chief ethics and compliance officer and assistant corporate secretary of DT Midstream.

Guest: Tony Tocco

Tony Tocco – Grayscale

Anthony M. Tocco (Tony) is the chief ethics and compliance officer and assistant corporate secretary at DT Midstream. He is responsible for overseeing the development and implementation of effective programs and processes to promote an ethical culture and compliance with applicable laws and regulations. He also provides board governance and support responsibilities as the assistant corporate secretary.  

Tony joined DT Midstream as part of the business unit spin from DTE, where he began as the manager of Audit Services in 2001 as a result of the merger with MCN Energy Group.  In 2002, he was promoted to assistant general auditor and subsequently performed as interim general auditor for a period. During this time, Tony directed the developing and implementing of the independent centralized testing center for Sarbanes-Oxley Act compliance and supporting corporate governance policies and procedures. 

Prior to joining DTE Energy, Tony held leadership positions in the MCN Energy Internal Audit department and Michigan Consolidated Gas Company’s Corporate Security & Investigations department. Tony has approximately 30 years of compliance-related experience in the utility and energy industry. Tony also has four additional years of compliance experience working for the Department of Defense in reviewing and auditing defense contracts and also established the internal audit department for a major Michigan public university. 

Tony earned a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from Detroit College of Business, an MBA from Wayne State University, and a Master of Science degree in security administration from the University of Detroit-Mercy. Tony is a Certified Compliance and Ethics Professional (CCEP), a Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), and a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE).   

Tony is a member of the Ethics and Compliance Institute (ECI), the Society for Corporate Compliance and Ethics (SCCE), the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA), the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE), and the Society for Corporate Governance.   

Tony also has lectured for the Institute of Internal Auditors, the Society for Corporate Compliance and Ethics, the Compliance and Ethics Officer Association, Compliance Week, and the University of Detroit-Mercy. Tony is a former chairperson for the Ethics and Compliance Officer Association Utility Industry Group, which is comprised of approximately 70 utility companies. Tony serves on the CCEP Exam Writing Committee and is on the Board of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan Detroit as development committee chair. 

Host: Dave Hansen

Principled_Podcast_Dave-Hansen_Host

Dave Hansen is the global advocacy marketing director at LRN, an organization focused on ethics and compliance solutions that help people around the world do the right thing. His team drives LRN’s customer obsession by building community, deepening customer engagement, and finding meaningful opportunities for collaboration. Dave is passionate about learning, having spent most of his career in higher education or training. He loves sharing customer stories and best practices in the name of continuous improvement. Dave is a proud dad, coffee enthusiast, drummer, and scuba diver. In his spare time, he enjoys cooking and reading!