The Human Side of Money

Financial advice requires working with money and people. Working with money is the easy part. You need a calculator and some decent math skills. Working with people is the hard part. You need an understanding of what goes on in their brain. Ted Klontz says, “The more you understand how the brain works, the more effective you’ll be working with people.” In this episode, he reveals what advisors need to know about the brain in order to create motivation and connections with clients and prospects. We discuss: How to effectively communicate to the decision-making part of the brain Why palm trees are better than graphs for improving financial behavior What car dealers and ice cream stores teach us about prospect conversations A must-ask question for every prospect coming from a previous advisor Three keys to developing exquisite listening skills Why 8 of 10 people who come to you aren’t actually ready for advice To sign up for Brendan’s monthly newsletter focused on the human side of advice → Click Here Resources: The featured partner for this episode is Knudge, an automated system to help clients actually follow through on their tasks and reach their financial goals Connect with Brendan Frazier:  RFG Advisory LinkedIn: Brendan Frazier X:@jbrendanfrazier

This is the inaugural “Ask Me Anything” (AMA) episode. Whether it’s been emails, Twitter DM’s, LinkedIn messages, one-off virtual meetings, coaching sessions, or at a conference, one thing has become clear about financial advisors and the human side of advice. You guys have questions. A lot of really good questions and I want to help you answer them on your path to mastering the human side of advice. I’ve got an ongoing list of questions, so if you have a question that you want answered, send it to me via email, Twitter, or LinkedIn. Here’s what you’ll learn: Whether you should communicate the value of behavioral coaching to a prospect The top 3 behavioral finance ideas to immediately make an impact in your next meeting How to confidently introduce a “values” conversation with a client you’ve had for 10+ years To sign up for Brendan’s monthly newsletter focused on the human side of advice → Click Here Resources: The featured partner for this episode is Knudge, an automated system to help clients actually follow through on their tasks and reach their financial goals Connect with Brendan Frazier:  RFG Advisory LinkedIn: Brendan Frazier X:@jbrendanfrazier

Everything changed during FPA Retreat in Cheyenne County, Colorado in 1995. Up to that point, the focus of these gatherings, conferences and presentations was the continued honing of technical knowledge. But, this presentation by George Kinder and Dick Wagner brought the human side of advice into the light. Dave Yeske was in attendance that day and calls the presentation a turning point for the human dimension within financial advice. In this conversation, he describes exactly what it was like to be at that 1995 meeting and details how Yeske Buie helps clients define their “Live Big®” life. Here’s what you’ll learn: Why embracing the human dimension is top of mind over the next 5 years “What’s the story?’ – A question to move clients toward their ideal life “Live Big Ideas” – A list of non-financial ways to enhance your life “Connecting the Dots” – A script for making recommendations that resonate A sign that a client/prospect truly understands the point you’re trying to make To sign up for Brendan’s monthly newsletter focused on the human side of advice → Click Here Resources: The featured partner for this episode is Knudge, an automated system to help clients actually follow through on their tasks and reach their financial goals Connect with Brendan Frazier:  RFG Advisory LinkedIn: Brendan Frazier X:@jbrendanfrazier

Think back to a time when you were “in the zone.” A time when you were completely immersed and focused on what you were doing. Psychologists refer to this as “flow.” It’s a state of mind that athletes and creative artists describe when they’re operating at their peak.A flow state elicits greater enjoyment, energy, and involvement in what you’re doing. So, imagine if you could learn how to apply it for yourself and your clients. Fortunately, Dr. Jordan Hutchison has done the research and shares how to use “flow” to improve productivity, creativity, and well-being for both advisors and clients. We discuss: The all-encompassing benefits of “flow” How to trigger a “flow state” Why “practice and rehearse” was the best advice he received The “Life Priorities” exercise he considers to be one of the best he’s seen Putting a “behavioral bow” on meetings to end with a bang  To sign up for Brendan’s monthly newsletter focused on the human side of advice → Click Here Resources: The featured partner for this episode is Knudge, an automated system to help clients actually follow through on their tasks and reach their financial goals Connect with Brendan Frazier:  RFG Advisory LinkedIn: Brendan Frazier X:@jbrendanfrazier

You’ll never truly master the human side of advice until you have the right mindset to do it. And, unfortunately, most advisors need a complete re-programming. One that wipes clean most of what you’ve been taught over the years. A mindset shift that transforms the way you approach your clients and your practice. If that sounds daunting, don’t worry. I’ve distilled it into 9 guiding principles. Once you’ve fully embraced these 9 principles, you’ll have the foundation to master the human side of advice in a way very few advisors ever will. We discuss: Why you should focus less on what people want to accomplish What prospects/clients ACTUALLY want and how to deliver Why there’s no such thing as an irrational decision Why life always comes before money in your process To sign up for Brendan’s monthly newsletter focused on the human side of advice → Click Here Resources: The featured partner for this episode is Knudge, an automated system to help clients actually follow through on their tasks and reach their financial goals Connect with Brendan Frazier:  RFG Advisory LinkedIn: Brendan Frazier X:@jbrendanfrazier

In healthcare, client outcomes and client satisfaction are directly correlated to the doctor’s “bedside manner.” The same holds true for client outcomes and satisfaction in financial planning and advice. In fact, research has shown that the #1 thing prospects look for in an advisor is “Interpersonal Skills.” But how do you create trust and improve your interpersonal skills? Fortunately, Dr. Jim Grubman built programs for advisors on how to hone and develop essential communication skills. Here’s what you’ll learn: Why courage is a conversational superpower The two essential communication skills every advisor needs The biggest communication mistake almost every advisor makes The different “levels” of conversation Detecting the “signals” clients send when they want to go deeper To sign up for Brendan’s monthly newsletter focused on the human side of advice → Click Here Resources: The featured partner for this episode is Knudge, an automated system to help clients actually follow through on their tasks and reach their financial goals Connect with Brendan Frazier:  RFG Advisory LinkedIn: Brendan Frazier X:@jbrendanfrazier

Ever wondered why you don’t get more referrals from your clients? Good News: Most advisors have a client base that’s willing to refer. Bad News: Most clients aren’t capable of executing a referral. Armed with this information, Dan Allison designed a comfortable process for advisors that creates clients who are both willing and able to refer. And once you combine the two, the referral floodgates are opened and the trajectory of your business will never be the same. We discuss: The 5 characteristics for creating clients that are willing and able to refer The #1 reason clients say they don’t refer The biggest mistakes advisors make when asking for referrals Goldmines vs Landmines: How to identify the clients you want to refer The referral mindset advisors must have To sign up for Brendan’s monthly newsletter focused on the human side of advice → Click Here Resources: The featured partner for this episode is Knudge, an automated system to help clients actually follow through on their tasks and reach their financial goals. Connect with Brendan Frazier:  RFG Advisory LinkedIn: Brendan Frazier X:@jbrendanfrazier

The Human Side of Money in 2022: Released 28 episodes Had 21 conversations with expert guests Delivered 2,342 minutes of content on the human side of advice Inside those 28 episodes, 21 conversations and 2,342 minutes lie hundreds of ideas, insights, and nuggets that will do two things: 1) Enhance and enrich your clients’ lives 2) Forever change the trajectory of your business and career But, there were certain ideas inside each episode and conversation that delivered more impact than others. Certain insights and nuggets that move the needle a little bit further. In this episode, I go back through each conversation from 2022 and extract the most impactful ideas and insights advisors need to know. To sign up for Brendan’s monthly newsletter focused on the human side of advice → Click Here Resources: The featured partner for this episode is Knudge, an automated system to help clients actually follow through on their tasks and reach their financial goals. Connect with Brendan Frazier:  RFG Advisory LinkedIn: Brendan Frazier X:@jbrendanfrazier

Every advisor has two puzzles to solve: What to do and how to get them to do it! The first requires an understanding of numbers. The second is an understanding of people. Whether you’re trying to get a prospect to become a client or a client to implement your advice…One thing is certain.  The least effective way to get them to do something is to push or persuade them. The most effective way is to get people to persuade themselves. There’s a communication technique that does just that called “motivational interviewing.” Fortunately, Jeremy Keil is trained in motivational interviewing and uses it with prospects and clients every single day. We discuss: The crucial change he made in his connection meeting with prospects His intentional office design to foster comfortable conversation The power of asking permission before giving any advice The “righting reflex” clients experience when you give advice The importance of acknowledging clients as experts in their own lives To sign up for Brendan’s monthly newsletter focused on the human side of advice → Click Here Resources: The featured partner for this episode is Knudge, an automated system to help clients actually follow through on their tasks and reach their financial goals Connect with Brendan Frazier:  RFG Advisory LinkedIn: Brendan Frazier X:@jbrendanfrazier

Most goal-setting exercises have one major flaw. They focus too much on WHAT someone wants to accomplish rather than WHY they want to accomplish it. The best goal-setting exercises combine the two. They produce goals that are both meaningful and measurable. Goals that provide connection and clarity. And when you do that, clients are motivated, inspired, and resilient. But, the question is how? Fortunately, Eric Trexler knows. He uses a “Goal Hierarchy” with his fitness clients and explains how it can be applied to create more meaningful goals for clients in financial advice. Here’s what you’ll learn: The power and execution of a goal hierarchy The problem and challenges inherent in goal-setting A psychological framework to better communicate with clients and prospects Focusing on “approach goals” rather than “avoidance goals” The optimal level of difficulty when setting goals To sign up for Brendan’s monthly newsletter focused on the human side of advice → Click Here Resources: The featured partner for this episode is Knudge, an automated system to help clients actually follow through on their tasks and reach their financial goals Connect with Brendan Frazier:  RFG Advisory LinkedIn: Brendan Frazier X:@jbrendanfrazier