Thoughts On Relationships.
At its foundation, the dynamic between a client and a financial planner is a relationship like any other. And like all relationships, those grounded in clear communication and consistency are best positioned to grow and flourish. I spend much of my time thinking about how to tend this garden of trust and partnership with my clients. Herein lies my thoughts on three truths I’ve learned and live by.
Relationships start with strong communication.
Setting clear expectations at the outset of a planning relationship is critical. Without shared, collaborative standards from the beginning, even the most well-intentioned planning work can become tenuous over time. That’s why we work under a Standard of Partnership— a framework that outlines what clients can expect from me, including response timelines, meeting cadence, and security protocols.
Just as importantly, it codifies what I ask of clients in return so we can do our best work together, including specificity around timely communication. When a client goes quiet for extended periods, progress stalls, decisions get delayed, and the value of the work suffers. And since clients are investing real dollars in this partnership, it’s essential that they’re able to fully benefit and get the best work Hyla Financial has to offer. In this way, clear standards create accountability, momentum, and trust. And yes, they also make the fiduciary in me very happy.
Relationships grow through consistency.
Clients deserve to know what a year of planning work will look like from the outset. That’s why we operate under a seasonal service calendar. This is a proactive structure that establishes clarity, rhythm, and predictability as clients manage all other dimensions of their lives. We never want a client wondering, “What has Hyla done for me lately?” The service calendar removes ambiguity by clearly defining when and how value is delivered throughout the year. Simply put, the service calendar establishes durable structure and ensures consistent, intentional planning through every season of life. And next to strong communication, consistency is a bedrock to achieving meaningful, long-term objectives.
Relationships last when dreams and aspirations are understood—and honored.
Goal planning is not a one-and-done conversation. In fact, the term goal, so deeply embedded in an advisor’s everyday vernacular, doesn’t fully capture the work of planning. In sports, points are driven by goals made. The outcome is narrow and quantifiable: you win or lose by a defined score. Real life planning goes far deeper than that. It requires creativity— on both the planner’s and the client’s part—to design a landscape for a life that evokes energy, excitement, and a clearer understanding of purpose. These are meaningful, layered conversations that go far beyond tallying goals achieved.
This work also demands ongoing dialogue, reflection, and refinement to ensure I understand what a client needs, often before they can fully articulate it themselves. At Hyla, we practice the belief system that a planning relationship is only as strong as an advisor’s ability to listen far more than they speak— and to then reflect back what they’re hearing.
This material is intended for educational purposes only. You should always consult a financial, tax, or legal professional familiar with your unique circumstances before making any financial decisions. Nothing in this material constitutes a solicitation for the sale or purchase of any securities. Any mentioned rates of return are historical or hypothetical in nature and are not a guarantee of future returns. Past performance does not guarantee future performance. Future returns may be lower or higher. Investments involve risk. Investment values will fluctuate with market conditions, and security positions, when sold, may be worth less or more than their original cost. Advisory Services offered through Avise Financial Cooperative Inc, a Registered Investment Adviser with the SEC. Registration of an investment adviser does not imply a certain level of skill or training.
