Blue Chip Journal - June 2019 edition

LEADERSHIP
I flew to the States to meet and learn from
him. We returned to South Africa with eight
books that Mitch had written and a world
of knowledge, ready to re-think financial
planning at Chartered Wealth Solutions. We
now initiate our journey with a life planning
meeting as a precursor to financial planning,
giving each client a tailor-made life plan.
My first introduction to Brené Brown
During the process of learning, getting to
know myself better and working with clients,
I came across a Ted Talk entitled "The Power of
Vulnerability". This was my first introduction to
Brené’s work and the beginning of a long-term
admiration. A good friend shared that Daring
Greatly was one of her favourite books of all
time. As a self-proclaimed learner and teacher,
I immediately bought the book, and started
my six-year journey with Brené Brown.
Learnings from Brené Brown
I have since read all of Brené’s books. Daring
Greatly taught me that vulnerability is our
clearest path to courage, and that if we allow
ourselves to drop the armour, we are more
open to authentic experiences that bring true
meaning to our lives. It inspired me to bring
my whole self to the world, as wife, mother,
friend, businesswoman and coach, especially
with clients in life planning meetings.
Rising Strong contains a powerful
message: if we are brave, we will stumble and
fall at times. But it is in the falling that we learn
from our disappointments, giving us the
power to rise up with renewed hope. I was
encouraged to step out of my comfort zone
and write my book, Retiremeant – Get More
Meaning From Your Money, and to launch my
own brand. This was a leap of faith for me, but
I felt compelled to share my message. Next,
Brené wrote Braving the Wilderness, which
guides us to being our authentic selves.
Parallel journeys
When I entered the financial planning
industry, sharing the Life Planning
philosophy, I was often met with blank stares
and disbelief. I introduced this revolutionary
concept at many conferences, urging
planners to understand their clients’ history,
principles and personality before advising
on their finances. Many planners argued that
they did not have the time for life planning.
My learnings from Brené’s work encouraged
me to stay steadfast on my path, offering
support and guidance to whoever wanted to
join me. I truly believe that when the student
is ready, the teacher will appear.
Brown released her latest book, Dare
to Lead, in 2018. Her work has had such a
significant impact on my life, on a personal
and business level, that I applied (and was
accepted) to be trained by Brené Brown’s as
a Dare to Lead Facilitator.
Dare to Lead keynotes and workshops
I am excited to share my insights based
on my personal experience and Brené
Brown’s 20-year study on courage at the
Humans under Management conference
in September. I will be introducing the
Dare to Lead philosophy to the industry
and encourage financial planners to move
towards Daring Leadership.
Financial planners have a unique role, and
indeed, responsibility, to understand their
clients’ relationship with money so that they
can enable them to change the behaviour
that no longer serves them – and put money
in its rightful place.
Kim Potgieter
Marketing and Life Planning Director,
CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®,
Retiremeant Specialist
• If you would like more information on the
Dare to Lead programme, please email Kim
Potgieter at kim@kimpotgieter.co.za
www.bluechipjournal.co.za
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