A conference on relational regulation confirms the importance of our commitment to effective communication and relationship management.
In the world of self-regulation, the secret sauce isn’t just rules—it’s relationships. Relational regulation emphasizes the importance of strong, open connections between regulators and their registrants. Why? Because effective self-regulation thrives when trust, collaboration, and communication are the foundation.
Last week, I escaped the slushy Nova Scotia winter for the unusually cold weather in Georgia to attend the Council on Licensure, Enforcement, and Regulation (CLEAR) Winter Symposium in Savannah—where relational regulation took centre stage. A number of distinguished regulatory leaders from the U.S. and Canada discussed how this approach enhances the effectiveness of regulatory bodies by building dynamic, two-way relationships with registrants. At MDR Strategy Group, we see this as a critical theme of Relevant Regulation—a commitment that calls for regulatory bodies to have a proactive and meaningful impact on both registrants and the public they protect.
Social impact is our underlying mission in all the work we do at MDR. That’s why we view relational regulation as a non-negotiable ingredient for success. When prioritized, the benefits ripple outward: regulators become better regulators, the public gains a clearer understanding of regulation’s critical role, and registrants begin to see regulation not as an authoritarian system, but as a driver of excellence in professional practice.
This approach creates a feedback loop. Registrants feel supported, and regulators gain invaluable insights into the challenges and needs of those they oversee. Relational regulation also builds trust, ensuring registrants see regulators as partners in achieving the highest standards of professional practice and public safety.
By cultivating strong connections, regulators can create smarter, more adaptive systems that truly serve registrants, the public, and the future of self-regulation. This is engagement with impact at its core.
– Daniel Roukema, CEO
