Early in our career, we’d present a strategy that would greatly improve a client’s outcome.  Only for that strategy to sit on the bench and never be put in the game.  We’d schedule additional strategy sessions, have a conversation over the phone, or send emails back and forth only to learn that we weren’t clear about the pros, cons, and expectations from the beginning. 

We thought the problem was implementation.  Eventually we learned the problem was us.

I’m sure we’re not the only ones that have experienced this effect.

When we understand the decision, the tradeoffs, and what happens next, uncertainty begins to disappear.  And when uncertainty decreases, action becomes easier.

Think about it…

• Have you ever not taken on a work project because you weren’t sure how to do it?

• What about a volunteer position without clear expectations?

• Or a meeting where you walked away unsure of what happens next?

We’ve all been there…  Both for our own leadership and under other’s leadership.

Uncertainty creates hesitation.  And financial decisions are no different.

At Tandem we learned quickly that our advice is only as good as the action that follows it.  Expertise can help establish credibility.  And trust helps gives advice the opportunity to be heard.  But even trusted advice can fail when clarity isn’t present around the decision. Clarity is what helps turn trusted advice into confident action.