Financial planners are considered talented and results-oriented. However, there is more to them than these qualifying adjectives.
Soft Skills and Personality Attributes of Good Financial Planners
To succeed and deliver quality service to their clients, financial planners are driven by specific soft and emotional skills. Successful financial planners generally have the following 5 traits in common:
- Action-taking and Decision-making Skills
Remarkable financial planners are not just big “talkers” but big “doers” as well! When they promise they will execute or do something, you can bet they will come through. They have a well-defined calendar and stick to schedules without excuses. Highly skilled financial planners are full of ideas, but more than that, they are idea implementers and master strategists.
- Forward Thinkers
The most impressive financial planners are always one step ahead of the present. They are constantly fishing for new opportunities, expanding their resources, and filling their knowledge vaults. When you work with one, you will see the bigger picture and know where your business will be in the next 5 to 10 years. In fact, financial planners are expected to look beyond current trends and visualize long-term opportunities and impacts.
- Integrity
A seasoned financial planner’s top qualities are trustworthiness and integrity. They must earn your trust and embody transparency. Trust and honesty are the foundation of a healthy and solid client/advisor relationship. You can’t entrust your life savings to someone shady or dishonest; successful financial planners are big on “integrity.” They work hard to prove they merit your trust and confidence.
- Networking
Top-tier financial planners have the most powerful connections. Their circle of friends, colleagues and clients is productive and valuable. They understand the essence of forming deep and meaningful relationships to pave the road to success. When you collaborate with influential people within your niche, you will gain a solid referral pipeline, and you will also get key contacts that make your work seamless and quick.
- Great Listeners
Highly-skilled financial planners care deeply about their client’s needs, fears, and reservations. They are an “open book” and are easy to talk to. Clients consider themselves friends and counselors and quickly relay their concerns to their listening ears. When you are a good listener, your clients will trust your expertise, and you’d be able to proffer wonderful advice and recommendations. When you listen to understand and not respond, you will give your clients the best solutions for their problems and not just generic wisdom that may or may not work.
Final Thoughts
It takes more than academic qualifications to become a sought-after financial planner! You must imbibe soft skills and portray high emotional intelligence to broaden your clientele and earn the goodwill of your existing clients.
The best financial planners are honest, trustworthy, and approachable. They are quick to take action, make good decisions, and have a network of valuable contacts and relationships. As a client, you should watch out for these traits when hiring a financial planner for your business!