A Culture of Compliance
When it comes to your institution, what is your personal perception of the difference between compliance and a culture of compliance?
To me compliance is the regulations that have been set forth. The culture of compliance is how we as an institution choose to follow them. I'm lucky to work with a staff that focusses on the SOP and creates a solid foundation that facilitates compliance.
I liked your analogy of a job and career as compared to compliance and a culture of compliance. It is the difference between doing what has to be done and needs to be done.
Hi James,
Very well said on the difference between compliance and a culture of compliance - it's the "why!" I hope that other participants take the opportunity to read this post.
Jay Hollowell
Compliance is following the rules to simply show obedience to the rules. Culture of a Compliance is following the same rule to achieve the purpose of the rule itself--to protect those for which the rule was written.
In our orderly society, we are given rules to follow in every aspect of our lives: rules to drive our vehicles by, rules to dispose of waste, rules for handling hazardous material, rules to govern how we interact with other members of our society, and a great myriad of other rules we follow every day. Much thought is put into compliance of these rules, but much less thought is put into why these rules were written—to protect those most susceptible to harm or injury if those rules were not in place.
In the environment of a teaching institution, my personal perception of the difference between compliance and a culture of compliance is that compliance assures that the rules are followed to avoid the possible legal problems of non-compliance, while a culture of compliance allows for the both legal moral issue of assuring the students receive the education they were promised.
Dale,
Great analogy! I might even add that each play, executed by a well thought out plan, gains yardage - like meeting the compliance standards, but the ultimate goal and benefit is the touchdown. I would think that it would be hard (using your analogy) to get the ultimate touchdowns without compliance being an actual culture. A series of gains in the right direction getting achieving victory for the right reasons! :-)
Jay Hollowell
I look at the difference between compliance and a culture of compliance like a football coach and his team. The coach draws up a play, explains the play, and tells all 11 players on the field what they need to do execute the play correctly (compliance). The players all need to execute the play according to plan for it to succeed. The coaches and players all know that if only one player does not do his job correctly, the play will have negative ramifications for the team, depending if you are on offense or defense (culture of compliance).
Ensuring a culture of compliance also prevents the possibility of an us-vs-them mentality between instructors and administrators. When explanations are given for requirements (and when those explanations make sense and match up with the mission of the school), it is much easier for instructors to "buy in" to the tasks required to maintain compliance.
Elizabeth,
This is an excellent response! The culture most certainly depends upon the team effort and approach. Without it, there is, as you note, a lack of cohesiveness and, thus, a lack of consistency that can undermine student trust. Thanks for your comments!
Jay Hollowell
Thanks Ronda,
You're right, when things feel forced, it tends to take on more of the characteristics of a regulatory environment as opposed to a culture.
Jay Hollowell
Compliance is completing the tasks given to you to follow the rules. Everyone is on the same page, and understands why things have to be done, and completes them. A culture of compliance is completing the tasks as a whole team, not just because it is the right thing to do, but to be cohesive. This culture allows for the students to feel supported, and doing so, we lead by example.
*Willingly and not free willingly
Mr. Hollowell,
Thank you for your response. I do believe this to be true and at the end of the day, one is done because you want to and the other may be because you feel like you have to. I think we all prefer to do things free willingly and not feel forced.
Ronda,
Thanks for your comments! Wanting to comply for the right reasons is a fundamental characteristic of a compliance culture.
Jay Hollowell
Being compliant is to follow the rules and do what is asked. This may not necessarily mean that an individual wants to complete the task that is given; however, this is what has to be done and it is usually to avoid consequences. To whereas, a culture of compliance is to do something because it is the "right the to do". Now, unlike the compliance where one may feel like you have to do something, the culture of compliance is where one will want to do something.
Compliance is following the rules of the regulatory agency. A culture of compliance is a way of life. Everyone in the institution does the same thing and goes beyond following the rules. It allows you to make continuous improvement, it allows you to hold yourself to a higher standard than the minimum requirements. It is an ethical and moral way of life.
Christopher,
This is actually the best and most thought-out analogy I have seen regarding the compliance/compliance culture difference. Thanks so much for your comments!
Jay Hollowell
To me it is similar to the difference between a job and a career. A compliance is like a job you do it because you have to not because you want to or agree with it but you know you must do it. In the case of the job you do it because you have to pay the bills. You may not like the job but . . . Compliance is the same for many if they are not "compliant" they will get in trouble or worse. So to avoid the problem we'll just go along. A compliance culture like a career is a way of life. You do it because you want to, you like to and it has become a way of life for you.
We don't dread compliance, we embrace it and have made compliance a way of life. We are in a constant state quality improvement when it comes to institutional compliance or programmatic compliance because it is the right thing to do for our staff and our students.
Pamela,
You make a clear delineation which is great! The culture goes so far beyond following the rules for the sake of the rules. Thanks so much for your comments!
Jay Hollowell
