In many organizations, it no longer feels like the rules are changing – it feels like the rules are colliding.
Regulations shift. Executive Orders signal new priorities. Political rhetoric enters the workplace. Meanwhile, leaders are expected to make legally sound, ethically grounded, and culturally resonant decisions, often with little clarity on how to do so.
In a recent discussion with compliance experts Matt Kelly, Rebecca Walker, and Shon Ramey, the message was consistent: uncertainty is not just the backdrop – it’s the challenge.
“There are some Executive Orders you can reasonably ignore if you’re acting in good faith,” said Kelly. “But others leave organizations exposed or in conflict with their own values – and that’s where the risk lives.”
Whether it’s ICE-related scrutiny, DEI reversals, or global instability reshaping operational norms, compliance leaders are not just interpreting policy – they’re interpreting complexity. And the burden isn’t shared equally.
“Middle managers are on the front line,” said Ramey. “They’re often left to navigate these gray areas alone – and that’s not fair. But it is real. They need more support than ever.”
At NAVEX, we see this reflected in the data. Hotline keyword spikes around “harassment,” “retaliation,” and “politics” suggest that employees are experiencing confusion – and likely, silence – from leadership. When uncertainty isn’t named, it grows.
How do compliance leaders respond when the playbook doesn’t match the field?
Rebecca Walker framed it this way: “Many organizations are afraid to act because the environment is so polarized. But inaction can create its own risks – both legal and cultural. Silence becomes the message.”
This is the crux of modern compliance: you’re not just tasked with following the law – you’re helping the organization figure out what it means to lead ethically when the path isn’t clear.
If that feels weighty, it’s because it is. But it’s also where compliance shines – not as a reactive function, but as a grounding force.
Join the conversation.
We’re convening this discussion more fully on July 9 with our webinar:
U.S. Executive Orders and Ethical Cultures: How to Manage Compliance Risks with Confidence
You’ll hear from Rebecca, Shon, and Matt directly as they unpack which Executive Orders matter most, how to manage compliance when the guidance is thin, and how to support your managers and employees through the noise.
Because while you can’t eliminate uncertainty – you can lead through it.
