Upstream Compliance: Why The Function Needs The 2'O Clock Stance

Making a case for moving the compliance function upstream—with a martial arts analogy

If you lead Compliance in a large enterprise, you know the feeling of being pulled in late. Producing work in defensive mode often limits what the function can shape. The good news is that there is a more effective posture for the role—one that positions compliance upstream, closer to where intent forms and opportunities are still malleable.

The 2 o'clock stance

In martial arts, a fighter doesn't stand squarely in front of an opponent. They angle their body. In the 'two o'clock' stance, they stand slightly forward and slightly inside. It allows them better balance and a wider field of vision. Modern compliance works in a similar way. It shouldn't stand behind the business or across from it; the ideal place for it is half a step ahead of risk and half a step inside strategy.