Episode 722 - Humble & Kind

What if success isn’t just about what you know, but how you show up? In episode 722 of Monday Morning Mojo, Phil explores the powerful balance of expertise and humility, a trait he calls humble confidence. Inspired by a song, a mentor’s words, and a Sunday sermon, he shares why the best professionals listen first, guide with intention, and build trust through service. This episode is a reminder that confidence draws people in, but humility keeps them connected.

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Tim McGraw's Song: Humble and Kind

Kyle McDonald

Transcript

 Top performers in every field surround themselves with those who inspire them, who seek to build them up, and who push them to reach beyond their current limits. I am Phil Buchanan, executive chairman of Canon Financial Institute. I designed Monday Morning Mojo to provide you with a weekly spark, a push and motivational insight to live your best life. Thanks for joining.

Good Monday morning Cannon Nation. It's Phil here with episode 722 of Monday Morning Mojo. As I've shared with you all in the past, the number one question I get regarding our four podcast series is Phil, where do you all get the ideas for topics? Now many of the ideas come from you, our listeners, and that is always appreciated.

I do encourage however that each of you in suggesting your ideas to please add context. Please add the why as to the resonation of the topic in your life and in your business. I received an email recently suggested that I do a podcast on meetings. No other description. No other explanation, just meetings.

I have tabled that idea for the moment. I'm sure I will revisit it later. The main source of the ideas for the podcast come simply from watching, listening, and reading. Today's topic is no exception. Within 75 minutes on a recent Sunday morning, I heard a song, saw a friend and mentor’s family photo and heard a sermon that all brought one of the least discussed, but most important virtues front and center.

The song was Tim McGraw's 2021 Hit Humble and Kind. It was written by country music songwriter Lori McKenna. She wrote it for her five children who were then ages 10 through 25. She did so as an anthem of guidance by which she wished her kids to live their lives. As a father of two 20 somethings. This song carries personal meaning for me.

A few minutes before hearing that song, I had seen a post from Kyle McDonald, CEO of Argent Financial Group. It was a photo of he and his family. It called me to remember Kyle's favorite mantra, and that mantra is humble. Confidence translated. Kyle encourages his team to be confident in their knowledge and skills, but to recognize that all of us must humble ourselves to be of service to others.

And then of course, during the Sunday morning church service, our senior minister Jeremy Lawson, actually preached on the virtue of humility. Now I am of the belief that when a theme keeps showing up in your life, it's worth a bit of reflection. 

The wealth management business is a very complex industry. Most seasoned professionals have advanced degrees in certifications and law accounting, MBAs, CFAs, CTFA, CWS's, AIFS, et cetera. All of these degrees and certifications require deep study and proficiency. A career in wealth management exposes professionals to a multitude of scenarios and situations that present both the very best and the very worst of planning, preparation, and execution.

Now after seeing what professionals with 20, 30, and 40 year careers have seen, it becomes much easier to pinpoint what can work, what needs fixing, and what will cause families to be successful in their financial journey, and what will actually destroy the financial dynamic at the end of the day. You know what clients really seek in the best wealth managers is help in discerning a path forward.

You know, the risk we all run when we see similar scenarios to those we've encountered before is we have a tendency to move too fast in our assumptions. We can become almost professorial in our guidance. Worse, we do both. Such actions often feels off-putting to the clients and prospects. What do we all want from our professionals?

Well, number one is to feel heard, to feel informed, to understand our options. It isn't to be lectured or worse to feel condescended. Now, while that is likely never the intent of any wealth advisor, it is an experience for many clients. The truly elite wealth advisor has an incredible knack for slowing the pace, conducting deep discovery and using the Socratic methodology to help clients reach their conclusions as to the right choices for their family. It requires the use of deep expertise and a humble approach. Remember, clients do business with people they know, like, and trust. Expertise matched with humility creates that winning formula.

Monday Morning Mojo is a production of Cannon Financial Institute; executive producer of Monday Morning Mojo is Sarah Jones. Editing and mixing is done by Danny Brunner. Until next time, I'm Phil Buchanan reminding you to be a force for good. Have a great weekend. Thanks for being part of the Mojo community.