Compliance 6-Pack: Part 2 - Listen Like a Thief

Compliance 6-Pack: Part 2 - Listen Like a Thief

From Creativity and Compliance by Tom Fox

May 1, 2026 · 13 min · Episode 86

About this episode

Tom and Ronnie discuss the importance of active listening in compliance through improv techniques.

Tom and Ronnie continue their six-part series highlighting the role of improv in compliance. This series links improv lessons to corporate compliance and some of the key tools and strategies Ronnie has brought from his former world of improv to the corporate compliance communications realm. In today’s Improv & Compliance Lesson 2, they focus on “listen like a thief” as a core active-listening skill for leaders and compliance professionals. Ronnie explains that when authority figures formulate answers too quickly, they miss verbal and nonverbal cues and critical late-breaking “doorknob comments,” undermining trust when people perceive inattentiveness. He recommends listening with the whole body, avoiding interruptions, using a “last word” silent repeat to create a pause, silently saying thank you, and asking clarifying questions before responding. They extend the concept to organizational listening through ethics ambassador/compliance champion networks, a tracking hotline, consultative questions, and surveys that assess speak-up awareness, perceived safety, organizational justice, and trust. They emphasize closing the loop by communicating outcomes through anonymized stories and…

People in this episode

Host: Tom Fox

Guest: Ronnie Feldman

Topics covered

  • improv
  • compliance
  • active listening
  • organizational trust
  • communication strategies

Keywords

  • improv
  • compliance
  • listening skills
  • trust
  • communication

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Learnings & Entertainments

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