The other week, I saw an article about an article titled “Superhumans and Summit Fever: Sherpas – Unsung Heroes of the Himalayas” and I couldn’t help thinking about the subtle forms of heroism performed by compliance professionals.
In this blog, I want to explore the parallels between them and the great Sherpas.
The Unseen Work of a Sherpa
Sherpas, known for their strength and endurance, are skilled in navigating treacherous mountain terrain. Their expertise is sought by climbers attempting Mount Everest and other challenging peaks. Despite playing a critical role in the success of these expeditions, Sherpas often remain overlooked or underappreciated. They take on the dangerous tasks of establishing routes, fixing ropes, and carrying essential supplies for the climbers they guide.
Tenzing Norgay (left) was one of the first two people to summit of Mount Everest, which he accomplished with Sir Edmund Hillary on 29 May 1953.
Similarly, compliance professionals are the “Sherpas” that lead organisations through a labyrinth of complex regulations, ensuring that they operate within legal and ethical boundaries. They shoulder the responsibility of keeping businesses on track and enabling continued success.
Charting a Safe Course
Just as a Sherpa sets the course and guides climbers up the mountain, compliance professionals help shape a company’s trajectory by ensuring adherence to applicable laws and guidelines. They must possess in-depth knowledge of the industry and its unique regulatory landscape to guide the organisation through the ever-changing terrain of compliance.
While their respective rules are a world apart. The parallels in their jobs are uncanny. Below is a list of some of the essential tasks that compliance professionals and Sherpas carry out.
- Assessing Risk.
- Develop implement policies and protocols.
- Education and training
- Regular monitoring of new risks.
Going Above and Beyond
In the face of adversity, both Sherpas and compliance professionals demonstrate unwavering courage and resilience. They often work behind the scenes, dedicating countless hours and resources to guarantee the success of the larger group. Both face enormous pressure not to let others down, recognising that their actions impact the well-being of their respective teams.
Compliance professionals, like Sherpas, aren’t just fulfilling their jobs – they’re safeguarding the company’s reputation, preventing costly fines and penalties, and contributing to its long-term success.
Recognising the Hidden Heroes
Sherpas and compliance professionals often go unnoticed, but their contributions are essential to the success of any expedition or organization. They work diligently, mastering the intricate details of their respective fields to guide others safely toward their goals.
So, let us take a moment to recognize and appreciate the compliance professionals in our organizations. Their dedication and expertise make them the unsung heroes of the business world, propelling companies to new heights in a responsible and ethical manner.
How we are walking the talk
I am proud to be a co-founder of Reglex because the company was born with the idea of celebrating the underdog. Our mission is to democratise compliance so we can give all compliance heroes the opportunity to have equal access to critical compliance data so they can all be celebrated as heroes.
To celebrate our compliance heroes, I would like to invite all compliance professionals to join our Compliance Sherpa programme. All subscribers will be entitled to a 30-days free subscription to Reglex’s hub which will give you unlimited access to Reglex’ Enforcement Database and Guidance Notes. By subscribing now, you’ll also have the chance to get 50% off an annual Summit plan.
Join the Reglex community and become a Compliance Sherpa!
“Find out how we are democratizing compliance, visit www.reglex.io“
