Which traits should Ms. Jones look for in candidates for her compliance team?

In the context of building a compliance team, a high level of discretion is essential. Compliance professionals often handle sensitive information and are privy to confidential business processes and regulatory matters. They must navigate various situations where confidentiality is paramount and decisions need to be made carefully, considering legal and ethical implications. Discretion ensures that team members can manage sensitive information responsibly, maintaining both the integrity of the compliance function and the trust of stakeholders. This trait helps in fostering a culture of compliance where employees feel secure in reporting issues and know that their concerns will be handled properly.

Sales skills, the ability to work strictly alone, and marketing expertise, while valuable in certain contexts, do not align as closely with the specific requirements of compliance roles. Compliance teams benefit more from collaboration, ethical judgment, and an in-depth understanding of regulations rather than the skills associated with sales or marketing.