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Why “Just Complying” Isn’t Enough — and What Great DPOs Do Differently

“It’s the law — why don’t they just comply?”


If you’ve ever worked as a Data Protection Officer, that question probably sounds familiar. The policies are in place. The checklists are complete. The training sessions are done. And yet — behaviors don’t seem to change.


The Reality: Organizations Don’t Change — People Do


As Anna Olsson puts it, “Organizations don’t change – people within organizations do.”


It’s a simple truth that’s often forgotten in the world of compliance.


Data protection isn’t just about frameworks, DPIAs, or audit logs — it’s about trust. And trust doesn’t come from regulation. It comes from understanding.


When employees grasp why privacy matters — not just what the GDPR says — they act differently. They stop thinking of compliance as a burden, and start seeing it as a shared value.


The Emotional Side of Privacy


The limbic system — the emotional brain — processes billions of pieces of information per second. It decides whether we see change as a threat or a reward.


When we communicate privacy only in legal or logical terms (“It’s the law, we must comply”), the brain often reacts defensively — with resistance or avoidance.


But when we connect privacy to something meaningful — trust, respect, human dignity — it becomes empowering. As one DPO we coached said:


“We stopped talking about GDPR, and started talking about our members’ trust. That’s when people really began to care.”


From the Boardroom to Everyday Decisions


Effective privacy doesn’t live in a policy binder — it lives in daily choices. That’s why great DPOs work through managers, not around them.


They start at the top — ensuring leadership commitment — and then equip every level of the organization to communicate clearly about why, what, and how.


Because when middle managers understand how privacy connects to business goals and culture, they become multipliers of trust.


The DPO as a Change Leader


At Klarity, we believe DPOs are not just compliance officers — they are change leaders. They guide, coach, and empower.


Our DPO Coaching Program focuses on developing those leadership skills — helping DPOs:


  • Communicate the why behind privacy in human terms

  • Build emotional engagement across teams

  • Support managers in owning privacy outcomes

  • Navigate resistance and translate policy into everyday action


In short, we help DPOs transform privacy from an obligation into a value that strengthens the entire organization.


Defining Accountability and Ownership


One of the hardest questions for DPOs to answer is:


“Who owns the risk?”


Our approach helps organizations define clear accountability — for DPIAs, risk assessments, and governance — so the DPO can focus on guidance, not firefighting.


When everyone knows their role in protecting personal data, compliance becomes the natural byproduct of a healthy culture.


Leading with Purpose


Compliance is the starting point. Purpose is the destination.


Because protecting data is ultimately about protecting people — their dignity, their choices, their trust. And that’s what great DPOs understand: leadership in privacy is leadership in humanity.


👉 If you want to learn how Klarity’s DPO Coaching Program can help your organization move from compliance to culture, email our DPO Coach for more: kalle@klarity.fi.



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