Are Financial Advisers Driven by More Than Just Emotional Intelligence?

Financial advisers often enjoy high levels of client trust, with many clients feeling well looked after and loyal. For those who’ve stayed with the same adviser for years, it’s clear that strong, personal relationships are at the heart of these bonds. But if we dig deeper, we can ask another question: beyond emotional intelligence and the knack for rapport, do financial advisers also hold themselves to a standard of high spiritual intelligence? Are they motivated by a clear conscience, transparency, and the true value they provide, or is it the result of a comfortable image they’ve cultivated over time?

According to recent findings from St. James’s Place’s (SJP) Real Life Advice Report , many clients show unwavering loyalty to their advisers—so much so that 74% of over-55s and nearly two-thirds of advised clients have never switched advisers. On the surface, this suggests satisfaction, but it also raises some interesting points about how people perceive, and perhaps idealise, their adviser relationships. While emotional intelligence can foster loyalty, high spiritual intelligence goes a step further. It’s about the adviser’s commitment to clarity, fairness, and making sure clients are well-informed about fees, costs, and the true value of advice.

SJP’s report also highlights that many clients trust their adviser because they’ve been pleased with the advice and returns received (35%) and feel understood and supported through big life moments (18%). But how many clients truly know if they’re getting value for money? Transparency around fees and costs is crucial to ensure trust is well-placed and that loyalty isn’t just a result of comfort but of genuine alignment with the client’s best interests.

Why High Spiritual Intelligence Matters in Financial Advice For financial advice to be genuinely beneficial and not just pleasing, advisers must offer clear, understandable breakdowns of their fees and services. High spiritual intelligence, in this context, goes beyond delivering good returns and occasional financial security; it includes an unshakeable commitment to fairness, integrity, and transparency.

The SJP survey revealed that only 10% of clients felt that ongoing financial advice had helped them achieve significant milestones like starting a business. Other clients highlighted benefits such as help with homeownership, supporting elderly family members, and providing family support for important stages. All of these are commendable outcomes—but imagine if advisers also empowered clients by ensuring every pound spent on advice was understood, justified, and valued. It’s a crucial difference between being simply trusted and being a truly transparent guide.

The Real Power of Ongoing, Transparent Advice With a high spiritual intelligence approach, advisers would go beyond simple assurance and actively pursue transparency as a pillar of the client relationship. Many people stay loyal due to comfort, familiarity, and long-standing relationships, yet advisers with high spiritual intelligence know that building trust shouldn’t hinge only on familiarity. It should be founded on transparency and the shared value of every advice session and financial decision.

The survey suggests that 86% of clients would recommend financial advice to others, which speaks to the emotional intelligence present in the industry. But the ultimate recommendation—one made confidently with no hidden doubts—comes when a client can say, “I know exactly what I’m paying for, and I see the value it brings.” This is the standard that high spiritual intelligence sets, and it’s one that forward-thinking advisers could strive for to create relationships built on both trust and truth.

In financial advice, cultivating deep relationships matters, but doing so with a dedication to transparency elevates those relationships to something even greater. Imagine if all advisers embraced this approach, empowering clients to truly understand their worth and make financial decisions that reflect both trust and clarity. This is the heart of high spiritual intelligence—a guiding light that serves as the ultimate benchmark for client satisfaction and loyalty, rooted in fairness and openness.