IT audits are designed to manage risk and strengthen organizational controls; however, for many auditors and business unit partners, the audit process is often experienced as tense, transactional, or frustrating. As organizations become increasingly cross- functional, leaders face a critical challenge: how to conduct effective audits while simultaneously building trust, fostering open communication, and creating shared accountability across teams.

In this presentation, I share key insights from an action research study grounded in the lived experiences of IT auditors, audit leaders, and their engagement with business units. The findings illustrate how everyday leadership behaviors influence collaboration during audits, where friction most commonly emerges, and which practical strategies can help shift audits from compliance-driven encounters to collaborative, value-adding partnerships.

Advisor: Kabo Yang