Be. Kind.
Chris Broome – Chartered Financial Planner
On Thursday 17th October, in front of 200 of my financial planning peers, I sat on stage and told the truth.
A truth that spanned back nearly two decades of career; the journey I had been on; challenging at times; including the opening of a first business when I wasn’t ready; Mums death and its impact on my family and I; and the eventual launch of Longhurst in the summer of 2018 – with plenty of grey-haired wisdom evident on my chin.
I nearly declined the request to speak. Having launched Longhurst last year, I’ve purposefully kept my head out of our Industry News, instead choosing to keep my head down and focus on building the business, and serving our clients.
But I agreed to speak.
And not because I wanted attention. Nor because I believed it would help our cause at Longhurst (though the positive feedback from peers has surely lifted us into their eyesight).
I spoke because I wanted to be kind.
I’ve never had a personal mentor. Someone to take me by the hand and say ‘Stop, Think, Have you considered this?’ Instead I’ve learned everything through self-funded development, and what I call the bumps and bruises method.
So, last Thursday, I chose to be that mentor, to all 200, or perhaps to just 1, of those sat in the crowd. To tell them the truth about the pressures faced when running a business; why (and why not) to open your own business; and the things you need to do ahead of time to ensure you have the greatest chance of success.
What did I receive in exchange for my time on stage?
Kindness.
I received such kindness; in the form of gratitude, appreciation, hugs, handshakes, kisses, thanks, shared stories, further questions about their impending decisions, LinkedIn connection requests, and personal and private messages asking for further mentoring.
It felt cathartic.
To show others that it’s OK to not be OK. That we’re all in it together, not just in our mighty profession, but in all aspects of our lives.
My clients know that I will always have their back; always.
My peers now know I’ve got theirs; always.
We all face tough times. Some self-imposed. Some imposed by others. Some through sheer crap luck.
We get through these tough moments together, not alone.
As one.
With optimism.
And with kindness.
Because if we do, you just never know who you’ll help, and, inspire.
Just. Be. Kind.
