Trusted advisors help businesses develop strategies and implement solutions that are aligned with business goals. They are knowledgeable and invaluable assets to their clients, earning customers’ respect and trust by demonstrating their value over time.

Unlike vendors, trusted advisors focus on customer problems and their root causes. They listen intently to their clients and express empathy for the challenges they are facing. They make sure they understand the key pain points and offer their expert advice to address them.

Trusted Advisors: Finding the Right Professionals for Your Financial Goals

They are transparent about their capabilities and limitations and don’t over promise. They are knowledgeable about their clients’ internal processes and know how to make suggestions that are sensitive to the company’s culture. They have a good understanding of the industry as a whole and can speak to both technical and strategic elements of products and services.

Often times, trusted advisors will see potential solutions that their clients may not be aware of. They are able to provide an objective evaluation of the best next steps that will align with the business strategy and produce the greatest value.

They are able to connect emotionally with their clients, using anecdotes, metaphors, analogies, imagery and even some light humor to build rapport. They are also able to recognize and rise above internal politics, utilizing a diplomatic yet direct approach to keep the project on track. They are not afraid to admit when they have been wrong in the past, which can build even more trust.