Why Robo-Advisors Don't Worry Me

We often become so obsessed with the portrayal of personal investing as a product or extension of technology that we forget that wealth management is, at its core, a profession rooted in personal relationships. Truly gifted advisors understand wholeheartedly that a client relationship is an ongoing dynamic interaction where the portfolio often is no more than the present tense of multigenerational well-being, purpose and aspiration. Emotions are an integral part of a human existence. When I sit down with clients I seek to understand each facet of their behavioral dynamics, as it is irresponsible (and ultimately ineffective) to recommend and defend a customized wealth strategy without this fulcrum of relevance. Countless studies have depicted the relationships and ambiguities that intertwine emotional stability and financial security.