Dr. Rainer Lenz Joins "Impact Legacy With Rania" Podcast to Discuss Future-Ready Internal Audit
Dr. Rainer Lenz will be featured on the "Impact Legacy With Rania" podcast, contributing to a special series on the future of internal audit. This episode, titled "What it really takes to build an impactful, future-ready audit function?", will explore innovative approaches to internal audit, moving beyond traditional 'policing' to a more 'cultivating' role, a concept Lenz terms "The Gardener of Governance™." This discussion is crucial for audit professionals seeking to enhance their function's relevance and impact in a rapidly evolving risk landscape.
Rethinking Internal Audit's Role: From Police to Gardener
Dr. Rainer Lenz is set to join Rania Bejjani's "Impact Legacy With Rania" podcast for a pivotal discussion on the evolution of internal audit. This episode, part of a special series for #InternalAuditMonth, will delve into what it truly takes to build an impactful and future-ready audit function. Lenz introduces his concept of "The Gardener of Governance™," advocating for a shift in internal audit's perception and practice from a traditional 'policing' role to one of 'cultivating' and nurturing organizational governance. This metaphor emphasizes a proactive, value-adding approach that fosters growth and resilience within the enterprise.
Key Themes for a Future-Ready Audit Function
The podcast series, featuring a diverse panel of global internal audit leaders, addresses critical questions facing the profession today. Previous episodes have tackled:
- What is not working in Internal Audit today?
- What must change for us to stay relevant?
- How AI and emerging risks are reshaping our role?
Lenz's upcoming session will synthesize these themes, offering practical insights into how internal audit can move beyond legacy thinking to embrace a more strategic and influential position within organizations. The discussion will likely explore how audit functions can better anticipate and respond to emerging risks, leverage technology like AI, and foster a culture of continuous improvement and ethical governance.
The "Gardener of Governance" Metaphor and Its Implications
Lenz's "Gardener of Governance™" concept, building on Professor Mervyn King SC’s “Guardians of Governance,” proposes a collaborative synergy where both oversight and cultivation are essential for robust governance. This new narrative for internal audit suggests that auditors should not merely identify problems but actively contribute to solutions and the development of a healthy organizational ecosystem. For audit and assurance professionals, this implies a need to develop broader skill sets, including strategic thinking, communication, and an understanding of organizational dynamics, to effectively 'cultivate' good governance rather than just 'police' compliance. The absence of a 'gardener' means no 'garden,' underscoring the vital, active role internal audit must play.
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