Female financial advisors should model John Boehner’s style. This morning I read a great opinion piece in the Wall Street Journal talking about the new approach that Speaker John Boehner is bringing to the House of Representatives. Instead of sticking to what is safe, what is favored by the majority or those in charge Mr. Boehner opened the flood gates allowing a barrage of ideas to be presented. Everyone would be heard and every idea considered. This took more time and more effort from all involved, having to really think about every issue but the process is bound to inspire new energy. Without the ability to express your ideas, when you feel you no longer have a voice or that your voice is falling on deaf ears apathy creeps its way into your life. This new approach allowing everyone to be heard will hopefully chip away at the apathy that has plagued our Government
So many female financial advisors bring that same apathy to their business. While they may have started out with visions of grandeur, over the years their ideas and visions have receded into archives of their brains. As a female financial advisor you work in a world where you are continually receiving the same old message as to how you must build your business. Where you once were inspired to be different and unique in your approach your ideas and strategies were often squelched by those around you as being too lofty, a waste of time, nonsense. Over time this too causes a form of apathy, as a woman you lose something important, your soul.
I can’t tell you the devastation this creates in the soul of a woman. While these women can still be successful they lack the passion, drive and energy they once had. The real power in my coaching calls with these women comes from the brainstorming and the creative thinking (a challenge for most female advisors). When these women know that they are truly being heard, that I welcome their crazy thoughts and ideas, when together we begin to laugh and have fun with the process that is when my female clients start to shed that “corporate” shell and begin to see glimpses of their real self, the woman and advisor they really want to be. This is an amazing process, seeing these women come alive again is an inspiration to me.