Welcome to our ongoing series that answers your questions. This week, we asked Greg your question about why he wears a tie to the office every day. Here is his answer. Send us your questions at info@wamboltwealth.com.
Question: Why do you wear a tie?
Answer: Why is an important question. Why do people do anything? For me, why people do what they do is more important than what they do. At this stage in my life, it’s not about the money. It’s about purpose.
Why matters to me. For many of the clients I’ve been working with for over 30 years, a purpose is to get them to a comfortable retirement. For the young talent in the firm, a purpose is to infuse the office with positive energy, new ideas and a channel to pass on what I know.
These types of things matter. When I was younger, I wasn’t so focused on a purpose, a mantra. In the last ten years, “why” has taken on the greatest of significance. Through the late 2000s, I had started to gear down my professional activities, planning to ease into leaving the business someday. Then the unexpected happened. In 2011, I lost my son – and then I lost my way. Everyone deals with grief differently. For me, I lost purpose. I had to do a lot of soul searching to figure out where I was going all over again. I had to scrape myself off the floor and rededicate myself to a new purpose. It was during that time that I made a decision.
I took the opportunity to memorialize my son Dustin by finishing strong. This means pushing hard every day, doing my best work, and doing the best for those around me. Once I made this decision, I started wearing a tie to work every day. Like a rubber band around your wrist or a stone in your pocket, my tie reminds me of my promise and commitment to finishing strong.
For other wealth management advisors, wearing a tie may be required. Or they may wear a tie for the respect it garners, the confidence it inspires, and the level of professionalism it implies. Nothing says sharp dressed like a tie. But for me, each day that I hand select and fold a tie, I remember my commitment to finishing strong. I remember to engage in authentic relationships that build wealth that matters for the clients I am privileged to serve. My tie reminds me that my responsibility extends beyond clients to our staff, community and the continuity of the firm. It reminds me of loyalty, collaboration and accountability. It reminds me to be present and engaged, and most important, it reminds me of my son.
Our goal is not to be the biggest firm, it’s to be the right-sized firm, with the right values, behaviors and beliefs for our clients. Coming into work every day I make my commitment clearly visible.
So go ahead, comment on my tie and I’ll tell you about finishing strong.
Follow Us on LinkedIn
This commentary on this website reflects the personal opinions, viewpoints and analyses of the Wambolt & Associates employees providing such comments, and should not be regarded as a description of advisory services provided by Wambolt & Associates or performance returns of any Wambolt & Associates Investments client. The views reflected in the commentary are subject to change at any time without notice. Nothing on this website constitutes investment advice, performance data or any recommendation that any particular security, portfolio of securities, transaction or investment strategy is suitable for any specific person. Any mention of a particular security and related performance data is not a recommendation to buy or sell that security. Wambolt & Associates manages its clients’ accounts using a variety of investment techniques and strategies, which are not necessarily discussed in the commentary. Investments in securities involve the risk of loss. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.
Wambolt & Associates provides links for your convenience to websites produced by other providers or industry related material. Accessing websites through links directs you away from our website. Wambolt & Associates is not responsible for errors or omissions in the material on third party websites, and does not necessarily approve of or endorse the information provided. Users who gain access to third party websites may be subject to the copyright and other restrictions on use imposed by those providers and assume responsibility and risk from use of those websites.