PA360: 'Clients crave certainty, not solutions' – advisers urged to listen harder

‘Are you really listening to your clients?’

Sahar Nazir
clock • 2 min read

Financial advisers risk falling short if they focus too heavily on providing solutions rather than truly understanding their clients, Standards International CEO Michelle Hoskin has warned.

Speaking at the PA360 conference 2025, Hoskin said too many firms rely on expertise and technical knowledge without recognising that clients need emotional certainty as much as financial answers. "This is a heavy profession," she told delegates. "Are you really listening to your clients? Are you paying attention to their body language, or are you simply waiting for your turn to speak?" Hoskin, who has worked with advice businesses for more than 25 years, said advisers should shift away from rigid fact-finding and lean into empathy and vulnerability to build deeper trust. "Clients w...

To continue reading this article...

Join Professional Adviser for free

  • Unlimited access to real-time news, industry insights and market intelligence
  • Stay ahead of the curve with spotlights on emerging trends and technologies
  • Receive breaking news stories straight to your inbox in the daily newsletters
  • Make smart business decisions with the latest developments in regulation, investing retirement and protection
  • Members-only access to the editor’s weekly Friday commentary
  • Be the first to hear about our events and awards programmes

Join

 

Already a Professional Adviser member?

Login

More on Your profession

Paraplanners' confidence holding back progression

Paraplanners' confidence holding back progression

Aspiration and confidence gap over future career paths, SOTAN report finds

Isabel Baxter
clock 05 February 2026 • 3 min read
Advisory businesses must 'step up' to attract and retain new blood

Advisory businesses must 'step up' to attract and retain new blood

Clearer pathway to profession needed

Jenna Brown
clock 04 February 2026 • 3 min read
Advice buy-side models have 'clear conflict of interest'

Advice buy-side models have 'clear conflict of interest'

SBG’s Cherrington on common pitfalls and a valuations ‘peak’

Isabel Baxter
clock 04 February 2026 • 5 min read