What ecosystem are you a part of?

Last week I had the opportunity to attend Canadian Network of Agencies for Regulation (CNAR) 's annual conference for Canadian regulators as a participant and sponsor.? I also had the opportunity to speak with regulators who recently attended the Council on Licensure, Enforcement and Regulation (CLEAR) 's Annual Educational Conference.? Observing and hearing stories of participant interaction, sharing, supporting, disagreeing, learning… I realized how powerful this community, this ecosystem of interconnected players really is.

The Regulator's Practice works with regulatory bodies across Canada and through that work we have recognized the various ecosystems our clients identify with and operate within.? Some regulators see themselves as a part of the ecosystem of the profession they regulate, some as part of the broader system that their professions practice within.? Others see themselves as a part of a community of professional regulators within their province, country… and even a broader global community of regulators.

As a regulator, what ecosystem do you see yourself being a part of?? What ecosystem does your board identify with? I see this as a powerful question that defines those you choose to interact with, listen to, share knowledge with, and partner with.?

The regulatory community is experiencing significant change – shifting public and government expectations, the evolution of the practices we regulate, modernization of governance, new legislation… it is not insignificant.? These ecosystems are becoming more interdependent, whether we choose to accept it or not.

In this fast-changing and uncertain environment, regulators that narrow their focus and interaction within the profession they regulate are falling behind and forced to react to these external factors.? Regulators with a wider perspective and a broader network have been better able to anticipate these changes, understand how others have responded to similar change, learn from past successes and failures, and move forward with intention.? Sometimes they can even have a hand at influencing the change they are experiencing.

At the very core of this difference is whether a regulator sees themselves as part of a narrow, siloed community or as a part of a broader interconnected web of professions, policy makers, regulators, and publics.

#regulation #professionalregulation #governance #change #influence