Grief Smart Professional

Grieving clients or employees? How would it feel to be comfortable, confident, authentic, prepared and present? This is the truest calling of leadership! We were never taught the language of loss.....until now. #empathy #griefliteracy #communication #financialadvisors #financialservices #insuranceagent #estateattorney #widowclients #clientservices

Do you have clients who just retired and are disenchanted with their new future? This life transitions bring a sense of loss which leads to grieving pieces of their career that they miss. Advisors help clients prepare for a financially confident retirement and are well versed in these conversations. Yet what is the empathy etiquette when a client is struggling with this life transition? So often, you justify rather than listen. Justifying their abundance of time, freedom and money doesn't land when they feel a sense of loss. ACE this conversation: ACKNOWLEDGE without justifying CONNECT in the emotion (lonely, stuck, alone, bored, uncertain, regretful) EMPOWER by asking future driven questions to help redefine their path forward Here is a sample: Client: "I miss the impact and influence I had with people in my career". Advisor: A: "Having influence with people is something you do well" C: "Missing the people and your influence with them must be hard" E: "Where in the community or your family could you see yourself having more impact and influence? By ACE-ing this conversation, you help your client engage with you at a deeper emotional level (where trust lives!) Want more Empathy Etiquette for ALL types of loss? https://lnkd.in/g92-YXE ps: What sport does the term "ACE" come from? #empathy #griefliteracy #financialadvisor #financialprofessional #retirement

Are you a financial profession and want to LEAD your clients through their darkest times? Grief literacy communication is THE skill set that you may be missing. L - Literate (modern understanding of grief/loss & needs of client) E - Empathy (emotion driven conversations/say/not say) A - Action (action steps before, during and after a loss) D - Distinction (brand compassion and solidify trust) You help more clients, make more money and create HUGE impact and become known as a grief SMART professional! Win - Win! This is what I do! https://lnkd.in/g92-YXE OR message me on LinkedIn. (online and in-person training) #financialadvisor #wealthmanagement #fintech #insurancebroker #estateplanner #griefliteracy

Thank you Lucy Lazarony and Next Avenue for this article helping widows and widowers with the financial side and showcasing the emotional side to the professionals who serve them! Understanding the money mindset of the surviving spouse is critical! #financialadvisor #wealthtransfer #clientcentric #griefliteracy https://lnkd.in/gTXxjXiA

Acknowledging Clients Grief and/or Loss A grief literate professional who demonstrates empathy, compassion and the communication skills that connect will have a lot of business! Grief and loss are everywhere and your client needs your E-game! (Empathy) Here are a couple examples from my Empathy Etiquette download https://lnkd.in/gP5ZTV_F FYI - not all loss is death. ?? I know it has only been a year since Jon’s death. We miss him. Every time my kids see an airplane they think of him and remember his life as a pilot. I will continue to reach out yet now response is necessary. Just want you to know we care. ?? Your Dad, Dean has been in our thoughts daily since you shared about his dementia. I am here to support and listen as you face difficult and painful decisions ahead. The love and care you are showing your Dad is remarkable. Thinking of you and your family. ?? Thank you for sharing your feelings about your recent retirement. Having too much time on your hands while your friends are still working must feel different. You had such a purposeful career and this new schedule must feel challenging. I am here to support and listen. ?? I’m thinking of you in your divorce. This must be a difficult decision as you have many shared memories. As you navigate what lies ahead, please know I am here for you and offer a listening ear. You are not alone and I am thinking of you in this difficult transition. Grief literacy training is what I LOVE to do and I am happy to help! #griefliteracy #financialadvisor #wealthmanagement #financialservices

Widow Clients? A study by Kathleen M. Rehl, Ph.D., CFP?, CeFT? Emeritus determined 5 financial mistakes that widows make. But these missteps might not be what you think. The housing decision is a huge emotional dilemma. Here are some possible reasons they may want to sell or keep it that has nothing to do with money: ?? the spouse died in the home ?? they no longer feel safe alone ?? their children grew up in the house ?? they want to move closer to family Understanding widowhood and the emotions behind the actions will help you relate, serve and empower your client moving forward. Financial professionals who can become grief literate and set the PACE with grieving clients will set the STANDARD for all grieving clients. Preparation - Action - Communication - Empowerment ?? Grief Literacy is what I teach financial professionals. ?? Team workshops/consulting/event speaking Have you grabbed your "100 Ways to Write a Condolence Card"? ?? https://lnkd.in/gP5ZTV_F #financialadvisor #wealthplanner #fintech #financialservices #cfp #insurancebroker #insuranceagent #griefliteracy

More people are worried about their long-term health than running out of money.?90% of women will at some point in their lives be the sole financial decision maker due to widowhood, divorce or caregiving. According to the New York Life Foundation “State of Grief”, they want to TALK about it with family AND professionals. Financial Professionals. Grief literacy is a cultural conversation.?However, we were never taught the language of loss.?Most people don’t navigate this well.?The challenge is “how to” start and continue these conversations and have an awareness of how our responses can deepen?or fracture a connection. How do you start and continue these conversations before, during and after loss? ?? Action step today: Reach out to ONE client who is going through a difficult transition. Send a card, email or phone call to check in and show you care: "Thank you for sharing your partner, Jamie’s recent cancer diagnosis. I respect your privacy in this difficult time yet am here to listen and support you every step of the way. I am keeping them in my thoughts daily. Sending care." Want grief literacy training? https://lnkd.in/g92-YXE #FinancialAdvisors #WealthPlanners #griefliteracy #communication #empathy #leadership #ClientEngagement

I'm speaking at Financial Experts Network with Tom Dickson today! We will also be joined by Michael Lecours, CFP? 1 CE credit!! Register here: https://lnkd.in/gs7yCjKW ? Join us for a webinar on April 24th at 1PM ET! ? At some point, clients will experience a significant loss of a loved one and, during retirement, there is a high probability that the loved one will be their spouse.?It's hard for any of us to know what to say? It is especially important for financial advisors learn how to address this situations because 80% of widows leave their financial advisor within a year of their spouse’s death because they do not feel their advisor has addressed their needs. Advisors not only lose two clients, but they also lose the assets they have helped to build and the retention of those assets when they transfer to the next generation. ? During this webinar you will learn about: ?? The importance of building a grief literate culture and ‘brand compassion. ?? How empathetic communication can help advisors retain, attract and serve grieving clients. ?? What to say and, more importantly, what not to say. ?? Additional opportunities for advisors to apply these tools in non-death related loss and grief. #financialadvisor #griefliteracy #financialprofessional #wealthplanner #insurancebroker #estateplanner #empathy

Grief literacy skills - the avenue to retain, attract and support widow and grieving clients. Advisors and financial professionals are on the front lines of very bad news. Are you confident in knowing what to say? 1. Call the grieving family, write a condolence card, go to the service 2. First office visit conversation 3. Partnering in delegating and prioritizing tasks 4. Plan to protect, empower and support moving forward The language matters! Empathy communication and grief literacy skills are needed before, during and after a client experiences grief. Office hours available when you need the strategies now. https://lnkd.in/g92-YXE #financialadvisor #financialprofessional #widowclient #griefliteracy #insurancebroker #cfp #cpa #estateplanner

Widow Clients? The pressure of everyone telling them what to do and which decisions to make is exhausting. It is also a time of grief fog that can cause confusion, forgetfulness and overall cognitive clarity. Whether it is an adult child wanting their parent to sell the house or a friend wanting them to get as many things done, this advice is well meaning yet disjointed and from people who don't see the overall financial picture for the long run. If you are a financial advisor - EQUIP and EMPOWER your clients with some sample scripts of what to say when other give them well meaning advice. This way you become a thinking partner with your client and you help them navigate this time well beyond the money. I teach Financial Service professionals and companies how to engage, empower and retain widow and grieving clients! https://lnkd.in/g92-YXE #widowclient #griefliteracy #financialadvisor #wealthplanner #fintech #longevity #survivingspouse #financialadvisors