We Spend Too Much Time Thinking About the Government

For many business leaders and CEOs, keeping up with government policy has started to feel like a full-time job. Every day, there seems to be new regulations, shifting trade rules, changing tariffs and inflation updates dominating news headlines.

It can feel like the American marketplace is in a constant state of flux, which can lead to anxiety and a sense of unsettledness. The result of paying too much attention to the news cycle is that it can quietly pull focus away from the work that’s needed to grow your company.

Government volatility is definitely a real factor. Policy changes matter, especially in regulated industries. But when you spend too much time reacting to every update, the risk is that you’re letting policy shape your business more than your own vision.

Constant reaction leads to inconsistent results

Policy and regulation are always a moving target; it’s been the dynamic since the dawn of this country. Regularly, there are new proposals and new rules introduced at the state and federal level. We also live in an information economy where these updates are widely broadcast. This combination can create an environment where business leaders react to everything. Not only reading every headline, but attending every webinar and rethinking strategy with each shift.

But this kind of overreaction is dangerous. When you respond too heavily to constant policy changes, your decision-making process becomes reactive instead of intentional. Worse yet, your focus can get cloudy as you lose sight of your long-term vision because you’re occupied with adjusting to short-term fluctuations.

Many government-related changes are temporary in nature, and they evolve or reverse altogether. So, reacting too quickly can lock you into decisions that won’t make sense months later.

This doesn’t mean regulation should be ignored. In many business sectors, compliance is a non-negotiable. Rules matter, and violating them can be costly. My industry, insurance, is one of the most heavily regulated, so this has become a real balance we’ve had to contend with. But as I’ve found, there’s a difference between being informed and being consumed by updates.

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Know your place and act accordingly

The goal isn’t to bypass regulation or push boundaries in ways that could be risky to your business. Companies that try to overstep or ignore the rules often pay for it later. The smarter approach, however, is to find a way to work within the regulatory framework.

You’ll want to stay informed for the benefit of your company, but also try not to be alarmist. Once you understand the rules and can build systems to comply with them, regulation stops being a constant distraction. It becomes a known constraint, and known constraints are much easier to manage than unknown ones.

Understanding regulation can give you a leg up on competition

Navigating regulation isn’t easy. There’s lots of jargon and legalese and a rotating door of changes. It’s one of the hardest parts of operating in industries like insurance, finance or health.

But here’s a secret: companies that figure it out can gain a powerful advantage.

Understanding how to operate within a regulatory system creates barriers to entry. Not everyone can, or will, do the work required to comply properly. When a company learns how to work through regulation rather than around it, that knowledge becomes a lifeline. In this sense, regulation can become a superpower. It forces discipline and rewards organizations that invest in compliance.

Companies that understand the regulatory environment can help their partners and clients navigate it, too. Share your insights in newsletters or one-on-one conversations — doing so will build trust and strengthen relationships, especially in these uncertain times.

Delegate compliance to someone you trust

One reason government volatility eats up so much time is that leaders often try to personally track everything, which is inefficient and unnecessary.

Instead, you need someone responsible for compliance who is deeply plugged into regulatory bodies, state bulletins, federal updates and industry guidance. This person can interpret what’s relevant and flag what actually requires action. Because not every policy shift has the same impact on every company — inflation, tariffs, and trade rules can dramatically affect some businesses while barely touching others. The person in charge of compliance can know what is relevant for your company.

Trusting them to do their job can also take you out of the process to focus on other agenda items that need your attention. Rather than try to endlessly sift through the noise, you just need to know about the topline of what matters and when. Then, and only then, you can find an appropriate reaction and get back to business as usual.

For many business leaders and CEOs, keeping up with government policy has started to feel like a full-time job. Every day, there seems to be new regulations, shifting trade rules, changing tariffs and inflation updates dominating news headlines.

It can feel like the American marketplace is in a constant state of flux, which can lead to anxiety and a sense of unsettledness. The result of paying too much attention to the news cycle is that it can quietly pull focus away from the work that’s needed to grow your company.