Regulated Communication Can Be Empathetic. Denmark Proves It.

I hate getting regulated communication. You probably do too. The only thing worse than a dense, legally worded notice is when it comes from the government. And the only thing worse than that is when it is about taxes. It feels like being handed homework you never signed up for, written in a language you barely understand, with the subtle undertone of “do this wrong and you might get in trouble.”

But it does not have to be this way.

Denmark Shows Us How

Denmark has figured out something the rest of the world is still catching up to: regulated communication can be empathetic.

• They start young. Since 1993, Danish schools have taught empathy as part of the curriculum. Kids spend time each week practicing how to listen, understand, and solve problems together. When empathy is built into the culture, it shows up in unexpected places, including government offices.
• Their tax authority, SKAT, takes tone seriously. Instead of burying citizens in jargon and threatening language, they focus on clarity and guidance. For example:
• Trust beats fear. Research shows people are more likely to comply with tax obligations when they feel respected and informed. Denmark has proven that a clear, fair tone does more for compliance than scary wording or veiled threats.

What This Teaches Us

Denmark’s approach flips the old script. Instead of treating regulated communication as a grim necessity, they use it as a chance to build trust. Three simple lessons emerge:

• Clarity reduces anxiety.
• Tailoring includes more people in the process.
• Respectful tone leads to cooperation instead of resistance.

The Bigger Picture

If Denmark can bring empathy into something as notoriously painful as tax letters, then every regulator, government agency, and compliance-heavy organization has a reason to rethink its communication. These are not just legal documents. They are human interactions.

Final Thought

I may still hate getting letters from the tax office, but Denmark makes me hate them a little less. And maybe that is the whole point.