At the heart of every financial planning career lies a simple question: Are your values aligned with your work environment? This question often goes unasked, yet it profoundly influences your happiness, effectiveness, and long-term success. As we explore the four scenarios of values alignment, we’ll uncover how recognising and addressing this alignment can empower you to create a fulfilling and purpose-driven career.
Why Values Matter in Financial Planning
Imagine starting each workday feeling deeply connected to your purpose, knowing your goals align with what truly matters to you. That’s the power of values-based financial planning. It’s not just about aligning your personal and professional life; it’s about achieving clarity, authenticity, and a sense of purpose. Values-based financial planning centres on aligning your personal and professional life with what truly matters to you. By understanding your own values—and those of your organisation—you can gain clarity, authenticity, and a sense of purpose. Using tools like the Schwartz Values Assessment, we can pinpoint where you and your organisation stand on the spectrum of basic needs versus higher aspirations.
This values-based approach isn’t just for clients; it’s for financial planners, too. Whether you’re a planner seeking clarity or a firm striving for meaningful impact, these insights can guide your journey. Let’s explore the four alignment scenarios and strategies to address them.
Scenario 1: Morning Person, Morning Firm
Picture this: early in your career, you’re thriving in a firm that prioritises profit and material success. It’s a great fit when your primary focus is financial gain. But as life unfolds, and deeper questions about purpose arise, the alignment may start to fray. Here, both you and your organisation operate in a self-enhancing, ego-driven mindset. Goals are materialistic, focused on profits, and success is defined by personal gain. This alignment might seem ideal in your early career when material needs dominate. But as you grow and approach midlife, you may start questioning this path.
Outcome: Early alignment, but potential dissatisfaction later in life as deeper values emerge.
Strategy: Reflect on your personal development. Are you ready to move beyond material goals? Consider how you can evolve while working in this environment, or begin exploring opportunities that align with your emerging aspirations.
Scenario 2: Afternoon Person, Morning Firm
In this case, you’ve begun your journey towards self-transcendence, seeking purpose and significance. However, your firm remains entrenched in an ego-centric mindset, prioritising profits over people.
Outcome: Misalignment leads to stress, burnout, and feelings of isolation. Staying may harm your well-being.
Strategy: Evaluate whether the financial security provided by your role outweighs the emotional cost. Begin building connections with like-minded professionals or explore transitioning to a values-aligned firm. Personal coaching or mentoring can provide invaluable support during this phase.
Scenario 3: Morning Person, Afternoon Firm
Here, your organisation operates with a higher purpose, focusing on meaningful client outcomes and societal impact. Yet, your own motivations remain ego-centric, prioritising self-interest over shared goals.
Outcome: You may feel out of place or struggle to connect with the firm’s mission. However, your financial contributions may shield you from scrutiny.
Strategy: Reflect honestly on your values and motivations. Are you willing to embrace the firm’s purpose? Consider personal development work to align with the culture, or decide if a more profit-driven environment better suits you.
Scenario 4: Afternoon Person, Afternoon Firm
Imagine working in a firm where your values align perfectly with its mission. Together, you focus on creating positive change, building authentic client relationships, and making a meaningful impact. This is the pinnacle of alignment, where work becomes a source of joy and purpose. This is the ideal scenario where both you and your firm share aligned values. Together, you prioritise purpose, people, and planet, fostering a collaborative, impactful environment.
Outcome: Alignment leads to professional fulfilment, authentic client relationships, and significant contributions to societal well-being.
Strategy: Continue nurturing this alignment. Explore opportunities for growth and collaboration within your firm. Share your insights with peers to inspire and sustain the culture.
The Path to Values Alignment
Finding alignment between your values and your workplace isn’t always straightforward. For many, it involves navigating fear, uncertainty, and the complexities of personal growth. But with courage and clarity, you can bridge this gap.
Steps to Take Today
Here are some actionable steps to help you align your values and workplace effectively:
- Assess Your Values: Use a tool like the Schwartz Values Assessment to identify where you stand and what truly matters to you.
- Reflect on Your Workplace: Consider the collective values of your firm and how they align with yours.
- Create a Strategy: Whether it’s evolving within your current role, transitioning to a new environment, or starting your own practice, plan your next steps.
- Seek Support: Connect with mentors, peers, or organisations like the Academy of Life Planning to guide your journey.
Building a Values-Aligned Future
At the Academy of Life Planning, we’re here to help you navigate these challenges through one-on-one coaching, practical workshops, and a supportive community of like-minded professionals. Whether you’re feeling stuck in misalignment or seeking to create a purpose-driven career, we provide the tools, community, and guidance you need to succeed.
Your career can be more than a source of income; it can be a reflection of your highest aspirations. Let’s work together to create a future that aligns with your values and transforms your life.
Ready to take the first step? Contact us today to learn how we can support your journey to alignment and fulfilment.
See also: Presencing in Financial Planning: Shifting from Ego to Soul for Meaningful Client-Centred Solutions.
Questions & Answers
Q: What are the seven levels of psychological development, and how do they relate to financial planning?
A: The seven levels of psychological development help us understand where we are on our personal growth journey. Early stages focus on basic needs—physiological, relationship, and self-esteem—driven by ego and material goals. As we evolve, we move to higher levels like self-actualisation, finding our tribe, and service. For financial planners, understanding these levels helps align their career goals with personal values, creating more authentic and meaningful client relationships.
Q: How does the Schwartz Values Assessment wheel work, and why is it important?
A: The Schwartz Values Assessment asks you to identify 10 values from 52 options, revealing your character and current stage of development. This tool provides clarity about your priorities and unmet needs. By applying it in financial planning, you can ensure that both personal and organisational values align, fostering a sense of purpose and satisfaction.
Q: What is individuation, and why is it a key phase in personal and professional growth?
A: Individuation occurs around midlife, often after age 40, when we begin to connect our ego with our soul. It’s a transformative phase where we realise life isn’t just about material success or external validation. For financial planners, this stage often sparks a shift from profit-focused work to purpose-driven service, aligning career goals with deeper values.
Q: What are the four alignment scenarios between personal and firm values?
A:
- Morning Person, Morning Firm: Both prioritise material goals, creating early alignment. However, this may feel unfulfilling later in life.
- Afternoon Person, Morning Firm: Misalignment leads to stress and burnout, as the individual’s higher values clash with the firm’s ego-driven culture.
- Morning Person, Afternoon Firm: The individual focuses on self-interest, while the firm operates with purpose. Misalignment may cause tension or concealment.
- Afternoon Person, Afternoon Firm: The ideal scenario, where personal and firm values align, fostering fulfilment and impact.
Q: How can I assess my alignment with my workplace values?
A: Start with a personal values assessment to understand your priorities. Then, assess your workplace’s values, considering its culture, leadership, and collective goals. Comparing the two will reveal areas of alignment or disconnect, helping you identify the changes needed for greater harmony and satisfaction.
Q: What strategies can I use if my values don’t align with my workplace?
A: If you experience misalignment, try the following steps:
- Reflect on your goals and whether your workplace supports them.
- Seek support from mentors or communities like the Academy of Life Planning.
- Transition to a more values-aligned firm or start your own practice.
- Embrace personal development to clarify your purpose and aspirations.
Q: What are the risks of staying in a misaligned workplace?
A: Prolonged misalignment can lead to burnout, stress, and emotional exhaustion. Many people fear leaving due to financial insecurity, but staying can corrode well-being over time. Recognising the cost of misalignment is often the first step towards creating a more fulfilling career path.
Q: How can the Academy of Life Planning support my journey towards alignment?
A: The Academy provides personalised coaching, workshops, and a supportive community to help you navigate misalignment and build a values-aligned practice. Whether you’re exploring a new career path or deepening your current one, the Academy offers tools and guidance to help you thrive.
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