A Case for Simplifying GRC: Why Plain Language Matters
GRC shouldn’t require a translator — but for many teams, it often does.
The concepts themselves aren’t complicated. We make them complicated with the language that we use to describe them.
Jargons, acronyms, long definitions, framework-speak.
Everything ends up sounding more complex than it really needs to be.
And here’s the problem with that:
If people don’t understand the language, they can’t understand the risk.
If they can’t understand the risk, they can’t make informed decisions.
If they can’t make informed decisions, governance breaks down and it impacts the strategic execution of your organization.
Clarity isn’t just a nice-to-have — its a necessity.
So let’s simplify the three pillars of GRC in plain human terms.
G is for Governance
Governance isn’t binders, committees, or how many policies you have in your archive.
Governance is:
who makes decisions
how they get made
how those decisions are communicated
how people escalate concerns
how accountability works
what happens when people are under pressure
At it’s core, governance is the process of decision-making within an organization, with a focus on behavior, not documentation.
Simplified definition:
Governance = How decisions happen.
R is for Risk
Risk is often treated like a scary word, but it really boils down to three things:
something that could happen
the possibility that it could affect what you care about
how likely it is to actually happen
Although it’s often viewed through the lens of threats and vulnerabilities, risk also shows up as opportunities — you can’t grow without accepting some risk.
The bottom line is, risk isn’t about fear, it’s about awareness.
Simplified definition:
Risk = What could impact what matters.
C is for Compliance
Compliance isn’t just audits, box-checking, or bureaucracy.
Compliance is simply:
rules you’ve agreed to follow
commitments you’ve made to others
proof that you’re keeping your promises
It’s how your organization demonstrates that it’s reliable and trustworthy to your stakeholders — whether those be regulators, customers, third-parties, employees, or executive leadership.
Compliance is less about the restriction of having to comply, and more about building trust with those that matter.
Simplified definition:
Compliance = Agreements you keep.
Why Plain Language Works
Communication is the backbone of GRC, and using clear language is a pivotal part of this practice.
When people understand the words, they understand the work.
And when they understand the work, they participate in it confidently.
Plain language is more than simplifying concepts, it’s about removing removes barriers:
It creates shared understanding
It reduces defensiveness
It lowering resistance
It accelerates alignment
It improves the quality and speed of decision-making
It builds confidence
It prevents “shadow processes”
It closes authority and knowledge gaps
It keeps teams focused on what matters
Clarity makes people feel competent and capable, and that feeling makes it easier for them to step up and own the process.
As complexity is set to increase in 2026 — with more AI dependency, more regulatory scrutiny, more operational pressure — plain language isn’t just good communication.
It’s a competitive advantage.
How to Simplify Language in Your GRC Culture
Here are a few ways to simplify the language around GRC in your organization:
Use terms everyone understands: If you can’t explain it simply, break it down even further until you can. Using metaphors, visual aids, and stories work well to create common understanding.
Replace jargon with human explanations: Swap out ambiguous or confusing terms with what it’s really addressing. For example, instead of “risk appetite alignment exercises,” use “What level of uncertainty are we comfortable with?”
Shorten definitions, lengthen conversations: Clarity isn’t about short-cuts— it’s about removing barriers to understanding. Make time to dive into concepts so that everyone is comfortable with what’s being discussed.
Treat misunderstandings as a signal: If someone misinterprets a term, don’t just correct them — learn from them. These are opportunities to identify where there’s confusion and create clarity for a smoother path forward.
Make clarity a governance value: Communication is a core flow of governance and without clarity, you can’t create a strong foundation of trust. It needs to be prioritized as such.
Clarity Is How You Build Trust
GRC isn’t about making things complicated — it’s about creating clarity so you can identify what matters.
When you make GRC easy to understanding, people participate and engage because they have a clear understanding of how decisions happen, what could impact what matters, and the agreements you keep.
Plain language isn’t dumbing things down.
It’s building things up — with clarity, strategy, and trust.
If you want more content on clear governance, human-centered GRC, and risk made simple, follow me on Medium or at Axia-GRC.com.
