Ten Attributes of Great Financial Advisers

Ten Attributes of Great Financial Advisers
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1. Purposeful: They have a clear mission to serve clients and help them reach their goals.

Great advisers want to do great work for their clients. They stake their business on doing the right thing—and know that business success will follow.

2. Empathetic: They know they cannot effectively serve clients without genuinely relating to them.

To serve well, an adviser must assume a client’s perspective. Empathetic advisers put themselves in their clients’ shoes and work to understand what matters most to them.

3. Authentic: They reveal their true selves to clients.

Effective advisers elevate the connection with clients by revealing their own personal stories. A willingness to be transparent and vulnerable helps build client trust and encourages real communication.

4. Intellectually curious: They continue to search for the most robust solutions for clients.

Great advisers are on a continual path of professional improvement. They are lifelong learners, open to new ideas and committed to honing their technical knowledge and skills.

5. Personally inquisitive: They work hard to uncover what’s truly meaningful to their clients.

Engaged advisers also have mastered the personal side of advice. They ask probing questions to better understand their client’s views on money and life before creating a plan.

6. Quiet: They listen more than they talk.

Active listening encourages clients to reveal their deeper thoughts—and often, an adviser’s best answer is to ask a question that sparks creative analysis and self-discovery.

7. Passionate: Their unwavering desire to do well for others drives constant improvement.

A strong sense of conviction to do right by clients compels great advisers to continue honing their craft and ultimately enhance the value clients receive.

8. Entrepreneurial: They run their practice as a business and plan strategically for the future.

Advisers can better serve clients when they run successful firms. Just as they encourage financial responsibility in their clients, top advisers apply a high standard to managing their own enterprise.

9. Honest: They set realistic expectations about controllable actions and probable outcomes.

While the best advice may not be easy to hear, great advisers communicate essential truths about money and investing so that clients have realistic expectations about their wealth.

10. Disciplined: They don’t let market swings or media messages drive impulsive actions.

Effective advisers know the importance of , which can lead to a more enjoyable and promising financial journey.

DISCLOSURES

Highgate Partners Limited believes the information in this publication is correct, and it has reasonable grounds for any opinion or recommendation found within this publication on the date of this publication. However, no liability is accepted for any loss or damage incurred by any person as a result of any error in any information, opinion or recommendation in this publication.

Nothing in this publication is, or should be taken as, an offer, invitation or recommendation to buy, sell or retain any investment or make any deposit with any person.

The information contained in this publication is general in nature. It may not be relevant to individual circumstances. Before making any investment, insurance or other financial decisions, you should consult a professional financial adviser.

This publication is for the use of persons in New Zealand only.

“Dimensional” refers to the Dimensional separate but affiliated entities generally, rather than to one particular entity. These entities are Dimensional Fund Advisers LP, Dimensional Fund Advisers Ltd., Dimensional Ireland Limited, DFA Australia Limited, Dimensional Fund Advisers Canada ULC, Dimensional Fund Advisers Pte. Ltd., Dimensional Japan Ltd., and Dimensional Hong Kong Limited. Dimensional Hong Kong Limited is licensed by the Securities and Futures Commission to conduct Type 1 (dealing in securities) regulated activities only and does not provide asset management services.

AUSTRALIA and NEW ZEALAND: This material is issued by DFA Australia Limited (AFS License No. 238093, ABN 46 065 937 671). This material is provided for information only. No account has been taken of the objectives, financial situation or needs of any particular person. Accordingly, to the extent this material constitutes general financial product advice, investors should, before acting on the advice, consider the appropriateness of the advice, having regard to the investor’s objectives, financial situation and needs. Any opinions expressed in this material reflect our judgement at the date of publication and are subject to change.

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