STAY ON TOP: BE A BETTER FINANCIAL ADVISOR

You become a financial advisor because of your knowledge, skills, attitude, training, work experience, and perhaps connections. But a true advisor can withstand and deal with any change, conflict, challenge, or crisis that may come your way. Here are some of the vital focus points to become a better financial advisor and stay on top of the game.

Be Kind

"Goodness is about character - integrity, honesty, kindness, generosity, moral courage, and the like. More than anything else, it is about how we treat other people." - Dennis Prager

You are involved in every aspect of your client’s life, including money. Not only it is complicated in nature, but this is usually one of the most stressful matters to deal with. Your ultimate role is to back your client’s overall well-being at any cost, whether he is protecting limited assets, building wealth, or going through a major change in his life such as divorce or job loss. If you want to establish solid, lasting, and productive work relations, keep an open mind as much as possible and respect your client and colleagues.

Know Oneself

"Know yourself to improve yourself." - Auguste Comte

Get to know yourself first even before you begin to help others. As stated in Donald Clifton’s 2001 book "Now, Discover Your Strengths", a person, in a workplace, is as good as his greatest strengths: by focusing primarily on nurturing your strengths in order to attain success. This is easy to say, but difficult to follow in the advent of a postmodern digital age where our identities are hugely influenced and affected by the complicated forces of technology and globalism. The most successful companies harness the strengths and expertise of their employees.

Honesty is the Best Policy

"We learned about honesty and integrity - that the truth matters... that you don't take shortcuts or play by your own set of rules... and success doesn't count unless you earn it fair and square." - Michelle Obama

Take it from the First Lady of the United States of America. Make honesty the top workplace value. Communication must be grounded in ethics above everything else. Remember, smooth talks may help you win clients and gain hefty financial results. But anything you do out of deceit never lasts.

Think and Act Like an Athlete

"An athlete cannot run with money in his pockets. He must run with hope in his heart and dreams in his head." - Emil Zatopek

There is no harm in being optimistic. It does not mean wishful thinking, either. A company that focuses on positive traits of the workforce and remains grounded in reality tends to channel their actions and decisions around upbeat, feasible results. When you interact with clients and colleagues, focus on the commonalities and interests, and visualize a successful discussion. Yes, not every interaction can guarantee success, but it will make success more possible.

Create and Establish Connections

"Communication - the human connection - is the key to personal and career success." - Paul J. Meyer

If you desire to find calm, joy, and serenity at work, create and maintain real connections with clients and colleagues. Connectedness is the feeling of being part of something greater other than yourself. Human connectedness is related to happiness, health, longevity, and success of relationships, including business and personal relationships. In a workplace, psychiatrist Edward Hallowell determined the three important kinds of connectedness: internal connectedness, relations with fellows, and connections with clients. And never harbor personal angst against yourself, colleagues, and clients.

Be Part of a Team

"The way a team plays as a whole determines its success. You may have the greatest bunch of individual stars in the world, but if they don't play together, the club won't be worth a dime." - Babe Ruth

It is inevitable in a team to experience setbacks and endure losses. The most successful teams in sports went through that, too. But it is up to you if you want to live in the past, or pick up the pieces and start moving forward. Nevertheless, be a team player. Remember, no man is an island.

Celebrate Successes

"Where there is unity there is always victory." - Publilius Syrus

Celebrate every milestone rather than just moving on to the next workday. There’s nothing wrong with celebrating victories. As a matter of fact, those who celebrate every success are more likely to happily pour the extra effort to reach the next achievement. But do not celebrate too much. Do everything in your might to continue hitting your goals and winning more clients.