Eliminating Financial Shame: Why "It's Not You, It's My Explanation" Matters

When a client's eyes glaze over during your careful explanation of a portfolio allocation, who owns that disconnect?

Too often in financial advising, one subtly shifts responsibility to clients with phrases like:

• "Let me simplify this for you..."

• "Does that make sense to you?"

• "Am I going too fast for you?"

Each unintentionally creates shame - the silent relationship killer in financial planning.

Research shows that financial shame prevents 63% of clients from revealing their complete financial situation. This shame response activates the same brain regions as physical pain, literally shutting down the cognitive processing needed for sound financial decisions.

It would be helpful for you as the financial professional to own the communication gap.

Try these approaches instead:

"I don't think I've explained that clearly. Let me try a different approach."

"I notice I'm using technical terms. I'm still working on making these concepts more accessible."

"This is complex material that I've had years to understand. Your questions help me remember what needs more context."

The most trusted financial advisors aren't those with the most credentials or highest returns—they're the ones who create shame-free zones where financial vulnerability becomes possible.

Because when shame leaves the room, full disclosures and real solutions can enter.