My dear Friends,

Do you have a Wealth Manager or advisor? I mean, the sort who truly has your financial interests at heart and treats you with respect—the kind this Women’s Guide was written for, helping you make decisions in a poised way rather than leaving meetings confused and dishevelled..

Today, women are wealthier than ever before. They control more money and are more powerful. However, there is a dark spot; no matter what career a woman pursues, how independent, or how wealthy, dealing with wealth issues remains uncomfortable.

But, how to choose a manager with poise and confidence – and not to look like the finance novice we actually are?

Did you know that only 12% of the top 100 wealth managers are female? Seemingly ignoring the fact that today 40% of HNWI are women. But for the industry to adapt to our needs, women should be able to voice what exactly they are looking for.

So let’s take a look and learn a little more about what to look for in a wealth manager or financial advisor and how to decide in a poised way.

The Red Flags: What we can’t stand

Poised Picks – Preferred Choices

Pathfinder- Be Super Specific

First, you must establish what kind of advice or management structure you need. You should not be paying for a service you actually don`t need.

This is why you should check your options first and only make an informed decision.

The Vital Interview: Test Expertise—Not Eloquence

Before you make a final decision, interview a selection of “candidates” first. Here are eight questions you should ask someone you entrust your money with:

1. What is Your Investment Philosophy?

2. What is Your Asset Allocation?

3. Do You Offer Financial Planning Services?

4. How Are You Paid, and What Am I Getting?

5. Can You Bring Down the Fees?

6. Can You Show Me Your Returns?

7. How Do Your Returns Compare to the Benchmark? (usually, you take the average earning from stock market indices)

8. What Security Controls Do You Have?

The Brief

Make sure your advisor does neither treat you condescending or disrespectful.

Make sure you can relate to your advisor.

Think twice before you share an advisor with your spouse.

Make sure you know what you need and that you do not pay for services you do not need.

Test with an empathy map.

Employ an advisor once you have reached the seven-digit mark with your wealth. Opt for face-to-face or hybrid consultancy.

Avoid Percentage Fees

Remember, wealth planning or management is not only about number crunching but also about emotions.

Relationship Test, The Smart Way

Because we want to build a relationship with our wealth managers or financial advisors, find out who your wealth manager really is.

Here is a simple tool – the empathy map:

This will help you make a better choice when choosing a wealth manager or advisor that matches your expectations. Wealth planning or management is not only about number crunching but also about emotions.

A Poised Choice Is Always Your Choice

Choosing a wealth manager isn’t only about performance charts and credentials—it’s also about understanding how you think, worry, and decide. Money is rarely just numbers; it’s emotions, habits, and the stories we tell ourselves about security and worth. This woman’s guide reminds you to know exactly what you need before you sign up for a suite of services that look impressive but serve no purpose. The poised way is measured, not meek: you ask, you assess, and you choose with clarity. Because genuine wealth management isn’t about outsourcing judgment—it’s about bringing your intelligence, intuition, and authority to the conversation, and paying only for advice that genuinely earns its keep.

One quick thought before I leave you:

Long‑term financial planning is self-respecting with a spreadsheet!

–yours, Harper