10 attributes of Great Financial Advisors

1. PURPOSEFUL: THEY HAVE A CLEAR MISSION TO SERVE CLIENTS AND

HELP THEM REACH THEIR GOALS.

Great advisors 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 advisor must assume a client’s perspective. Empathetic advisors 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 advisors 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 advisors 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 advisors 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

advisor’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 advisors 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.

Advisors can better serve clients when they run successful firms. Just as they encourage

financial responsibility in their clients, top advisors 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 advisors 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 advisors know the importance of preparing clients to navigate changing

markets and apply discipline at crucial times, which can lead to a more enjoyable and

promising financial journey.


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“Dimensional” refers to the Dimensional separate but affiliated entities generally, rather than to one particular entity. These entities are

Dimensional Fund Advisors LP, Dimensional Fund Advisors Ltd., Dimensional Ireland Limited, DFA Australia Limited, Dimensional Fund

Advisors Canada ULC, Dimensional Fund Advisors 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.

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