HAYLEE MATECKO

Affirming what’s good is one of the first principles that Carnegie suggests. The very idea that people like to hear what is good about them seems obvious, but the fact that many people focus on the criticisms about a person is the ultimate reality. I plan to go into personal financial planning, with an emphasis on lower income clients. These clients will generally be people who are struggling to make ends meet, and may not have many sources of positivity in their lives. Getting to know the client is one of the first things that happens, and this is the point in which I can find what parts of them are calling out for affirmation. Carnegie states that affirmation differs from flattery in that one must really know a person to affirm them, and giving affirmations to my clients will demonstrate just that. Rick Warren wrote that “People aren’t things to be molded; they’re lives to be unfolded,” and the reality is that unfolding the life of each client will allow me to affirm them in a way that will bring about positive change in their lives.

 

In addition to affirming others, finding time to understand and learn what my clients are interested in is one of the most important parts of being a financial planner. Despite the income level of the client, every person needs to know that they are valued. Just like a shepherd looking for the single lost sheep, each client needs to know that they are valuable to me as their financial planner. Taking interest in what they do as an occupation, for example, will make a bigger impact than just looking at their income level. Taking the time to ask each client what they’re passionate about and finding ways to work that into their financial plan will not only increase the value of the plan I present to them, but will also allow for effective change.

 

Asking questions about the clients and their passions is not the only way to bring about positive and effective change. Asking the clients what ideas they have for ways to create a financial plan will allow them to feel as though they are helping to shape the new path that they are forging, as Carnegie suggests. The answers that I have for clients may not be the answer that a client thinks of. Inquiring how clients might save a little bit of money for a large goal they are looking towards might open doors to suggestions that would not have been brought up if they hadn’t been asked.

 

Overall, the most important part of effectively influencing and leading people is making sure they know they have value and are valued. Whether it is a client or team member, it’s important to focus more on those you work with rather than yourself. “Humanity’s greatest failures… are the result of people only interested in themselves”.