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Writer's pictureRaimund Laqua

From Telescope to Steering Wheel: Understanding Governance

As a compliance engineer who's spent years helping organizations streamline their governance, risk and compliance programs, I've noticed one common source of confusion: the distinction between Corporate and Operational governance.


Let me break this down in a way that will hopefully make sense to everyone.



The Corporate Governance Perspective: Foresight & Oversight


Think of corporate governance as standing at the helm of a ship with a telescope. From this vantage point, leadership has two critical responsibilities:


  • Foresight: Scanning the horizon for opportunities and threats

  • Oversight: Monitoring the overall direction and health of the organization


This level of governance is all about the big picture. It's where the board and executive leadership ask crucial questions like:


  • Where are we headed as an organization?

  • What risks lie ahead in our industry?

  • How do we ensure long-term sustainability?

  • Do we have what we need to succeed?


The Operational Governance Perspective: Steering & Regulation


Now, let's shift to operational governance – this is where the rubber meets the road. If corporate governance is about looking through the telescope, operational governance is about having your hands on the wheel.


This involves:


  • Steering: Implementing strategies and making tactical decisions

  • Regulation: Adjusting and maintaining operations to stay within acceptable boundaries and away from uncertainty


Operational governance focuses on questions like:


  • How do we implement our strategic decisions?

  • What regulatory mechanisms need to be in place?

  • How do we measure and monitor performance?

  • What processes ensure we stay on course and make progress?


Why the Distinction Matters


Understanding these two levels of governance isn't just academic – it's practical. When organizations blur these lines, they often end up with:


  • Confusion of Accountability: Without clear separation between corporate and operational governance, responsibility becomes murky. Who owns which decisions? Who's accountable for what outcomes? This confusion leads to either excessive finger-pointing when things go wrong or, worse, critical responsibilities falling through the cracks because everyone assumes someone else is handling them.

  • Loss of Agency: When governance layers become tangled, decision-making power gets stuck in organizational limbo. Teams lose their ability to act decisively within their domains. Corporate governance becomes hesitant to make bold strategic moves, while operational teams become overly cautious about taking necessary tactical actions. This paralysis affects everything from innovation to daily operations.

  • Failure to Regulate: Perhaps most critically, blurred governance lines compromise an organization's ability to stay on mission, operate within acceptable boundaries, and manage emerging risks. Corporate governance loses its ability to provide effective oversight, while operational governance struggles to implement proper steering mechanisms. The result? Organizations drift off course, cross compliance boundaries, and face unforeseen risks without adequate preparation.


The key is to ensure both levels work in harmony while maintaining their distinct roles. Corporate governance sets the destination and watches for icebergs, while operational governance keeps the engine running and regulates the ship's course and progress through various conditions.


Remember, good governance isn't about creating bureaucracy – it's about enabling your organization to move forward confidently and safely. Get these two aspects right, and you've got a powerful framework for sustainable success.



 

Looking to strengthen your governance framework? Let's chat – that's what we're here for at Lean Compliance!


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