Human happiness, a subjective and often elusive concept, is built on a foundation of high-quality relationships. The famous multi-generational study from Harvard, which kicked off in 1938, discovered that the most significant predictor of life satisfaction lies in the strength of our relationships.

In the context of financial planning, this finding holds tremendous implications. At Succession Financial Planning (SFP), we firmly believe that the essence of our work extends beyond mere numbers and financial strategy—it is profoundly about rewarding relationships, mutual understanding, and trust.

In our experience, clients who engage with us on a level deeper than the mere transactional are those who often achieve a better sense of financial wellbeing. A strong, high-quality relationship allows for a more in-depth exploration of financial goals, individual circumstances, and personal aspirations, leading to financial plans that are truly personalised and effective.

You may be wondering – why is it that we, as humans, struggle to build and maintain these vital, high-quality relationships? The answer may lie in our focus. We may not be dedicating enough attention to the relationships that matter the most and fail to recognise what makes them genuinely unique.

Take, for example, the insightful perspective offered by organisational psychologist, Adam Grant, who divides the people in our lives into three categories: givers, takers, and matchers. Givers are those who contribute more than they take, takers prioritise self-gain, and matchers balance between the two extremes.

As Grant eloquently puts it, “Takers try to maximise returns for self. Givers try to maximise returns for others.” Investing more of our time and energy with the givers in our lives can enrich our own capacity for generosity and help us build meaningful, beneficial relationships. It also teaches us the value of helping others, even when it has a personal cost.

At SFP, we consider ourselves financial ‘givers’. We strive to provide more value to our clients than we receive, focusing on maximising your financial gains. Our primary motivation is to help you navigate the complexities of personal finance with ease and confidence.

Now, let’s take a moment to reflect: “When you help others, are you expecting anything in return?” This straightforward question prompts us to think about our interactions with others and the motivations behind them. If the answer leans towards expecting something in return, maybe it’s time to shift our focus towards giving more selflessly – both in our relationships and in our approach to financial planning.

A strong relationship with a financial planner who genuinely cares about your wellbeing can be a source of great comfort and success. Reach out to us at SFP and start building your high-quality relationship today. After all, in life and finance, it’s the strength of our relationships that makes the real difference.