Data Governance Don’t Come Easy

If you’ve ever heard Ringo Starr belt out “It don’t come easy, you know it don’t come easy,” you’ve probably tapped your foot and nodded your head in agreement – even if you weren’t thinking about data governance at the time. But let’s be honest – that song could be the unofficial anthem for every data governance practitioner who has ever tried to formalize accountability, improve data quality, or get anyone to care about metadata. Just like Ringo says, it takes time, it takes patience, and it definitely takes help from your friends.

The truth is, data governance doesn’t come easy – not because it’s complicated, but because it involves people. People who have opinions, habits, and day jobs. People who already define, produce, and use data every day but don’t realize they’re already part of the governance process. And if you try to force it, just like forcing a drum solo in the middle of a love song, it’s going to sound awful. Non-Invasive Data Governance is about finding that rhythm – the natural beat that already exists – and turning it into a song everyone can play along with.

You Gotta Pay Your Dues If You Wanna Sing the Blues

Ringo’s lyric is timeless – “You gotta pay your dues if you wanna sing the blues.” In the world of data governance, those dues come in the form of patience, persistence, and plenty of communication. Nobody walks into an organization and instantly harmonizes accountability, data quality, and cultural change. It takes time to earn trust, and it takes consistency to prove that governance isn’t another passing fad or corporate tune that will fade when leadership changes.

If you skip those dues, you end up with chaos instead of cadence. People start to roll their eyes when they hear “governance,” assuming it means more rules, more meetings, and more “no’s.” Paying your dues means demonstrating value – early and often – in language people understand. It means helping them hit their own notes more clearly, not adding extra sheet music. And once they hear how much better things sound with governance in the mix, they’ll start asking for encores.

You Gotta Be Outta Sight

Ringo sings, “Open up your heart, let’s come together – use a little love, and we will make it work out better.” He wasn’t talking about master data management, but he could’ve been. Because when it comes to governance, being “outta sight” doesn’t mean being invisible – it means being non-invasive. The best governance programs don’t grab the mic and drown everyone else out – they blend into the harmony of how the organization already operates.

When governance is outta sight in this way, it becomes part of the show without stealing the spotlight. People stop seeing it as a separate effort and start recognizing it as the rhythm that keeps their work in sync. That’s the secret sauce of the Non-Invasive approach – it doesn’t change the melody – it just keeps everyone on the same beat. And once the band realizes you’re not here to critique their solos, but to make the song sound better, they’ll start asking you to join in on the next set.

It’s Only Data, After All

There are days when data governance feels like herding cats – if those cats had laptops, strong opinions about data quality rules, and access to three different systems with different versions of “the truth.” That’s when Ringo’s voice starts echoing in your head again: “It don’t come easy.” It’s okay to laugh about it. In fact, laughter might be the only sustainable energy source in this line of work.

The key is not to take it personally. Data governance isn’t about control – it’s about coordination. Some days the drums are offbeat, the bass is too loud, and the guitar player refuses to admit they’re out of tune. But as long as you keep the tempo steady and remind everyone that you’re all playing the same song, progress happens. One meeting, one data definition, one “a-ha moment” at a time.

You Don’t Have to Shout

One of the best things about Ringo’s song is that laid-back delivery – he’s not shouting his message. He’s singing it with a grin, like someone who knows that good things take time and that pushing too hard ruins the vibe. That’s how good governance works too. You don’t have to shout to get people’s attention; you just have to make sense and keep showing up.

When governance gets loud – with policies, mandates, and too many PowerPoints – people tune out. But when it’s conversational, consistent, and helpful, people start humming along. They might not even realize they’re doing governance at all – and that’s the goal. Non-Invasive governance works because it feels natural. It’s the quiet groove that makes the whole organization sound better without needing to turn up the volume.

With a Little Help From Your Friends

Even though the song we’re riffing on today isn’t “With a Little Help From My Friends,” let’s be honest – Ringo never went it alone. Neither should you. Governance takes collaboration, not isolation. Your best allies are the people who define, produce, and use data every day – the unsung heroes who already care about doing things right but may not know there’s a name for what they’re doing.

Working together builds ownership and energy. The Non-Invasive approach thrives when people feel invited, not indicted. So when the road gets bumpy and progress feels slow, remember that you’re not a one-person band. You’ve got data stewards, analysts, IT partners, and leaders – and when everyone starts playing together, the music becomes unstoppable.

Conclusion

So, the next time you’re knee-deep in data definitions or explaining governance for the thousandth time, take a deep breath and hum a few bars of “It Don’t Come Easy.” Smile, because you know it’s true. But also remember – just because it doesn’t come easy doesn’t mean it doesn’t come at all. The effort, the patience, and the persistence all add up to something beautiful – a trusted, accountable, and collaborative culture around data.

Governance, like music, takes practice. It takes coordination. It takes heart. And when it finally clicks – when people start working in rhythm instead of chaos – it’s downright magical. So keep the beat steady, stay non-invasive, and know that while Data Governance Don’t Come Easy, when it finally does, it sounds pretty darn good.

Copyright © 2025 – Robert S. Seiner and KIK Consulting & Educational Services

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