Distraction-Proof® Advisor Ideas

As a trusted advisor, just be mindful that not everyone is full of cheer and joy at this time of year.

Recently we’ve been hearing a lot about loneliness, and that often comes as a surprise to many people because we live in such a hyper-connected world. But here are just a few headlines:

• Surgeon General Says There Is A Loneliness Epidemic – Washington Post
• Young People Report More Loneliness Than The Elderly – USA Today
• How Social Isolation Is Killing Us – New York Times
• Social Isolation Kills More People Than Obesity – Slate

We’ve seen a number of tragic suicides this year by people who, on the outside have been public names and widely known, yet clearly on the inside have had a lot of stuff going on that no one knew about.

And so it’s important as financial advisors that we recognize while this is a season of thanksgiving and Christmas-time, of joy and of celebration, there’s a good chance some of your clients are feeling incredibly lonely, especially inside. That can be the case for clients who have maybe lost a spouse this year or have maybe gone through medical issues where they don’t yet know how this is going to finally turn out. There can total isolation for some of these people that you’re not even aware of: family dynamics that you don’t know about where this time of year brings anything but happiness and thoughts of joy.

So it’s important as advisors to be super-sensitive, especially this time of year. If you’ve had clients who have lost a loved one either this year or maybe around this time last year, and this might be their anniversary of going through this period of celebration alone, be mindful of that. Consider them. Consider how you want to reach out to them. Ask them how they’re doing. Genuinely mean it. Be there as a sympathetic, empathetic listening ear and heart.

Let them tell you. Don’t be afraid to press a little bit it. It’s human nature to be sad sometimes when people have gone through a tragedy. Be human about your role and the role you play in these people’s lives. Don’t be afraid to go there. Be considerate of how you’re going to word things, how you’re going to phrase questions, but go there and show these people that you are genuinely caring for them. This is the real value that you bring to relationships with people where you really connect even more deeply, at the heart and soul level.

They’re probably longing to talk with you about issues they have on their mind and heart. Give them that opportunity and add way more extra value to this relationship that you have with them already.

I look forward to bringing you another Distraction-Proof Advisor Idea next week.