
Hosted by Kristin Burke · EN

Today we break down what it really takes to share equity and build a multi-partner advisory firm without creating resentment or chaos. We talk through internships, trust, healthy conflict, and the long game of developing leaders who actually want the obligations of ownership.Key topics discussed in this episode:• Building an internship program to source future service and lead advisors• Keeping interns productive with real projects, fast onboarding, and clear SOPs• Why owners show up differently and why equity should be granted carefully• Designing a passage to partnership, including a two to three year evaluation window• Reframing collaboration as challenge without hostility and making feedback normalFollow Elite Achievement for more conversations on leadership and high-level execution.About LukeLuke was born and raised in North Idaho, growing up in a rural log cabin without electricity for much of his childhood. That upbringing taught him early on that wealth is more than money, but going without financially also gave him a deep appreciation for the stability financial security can bring a family. That dual perspective has shaped his approach to financial planning and enterprise leadership ever since.Luke earned a B.S. in Economics with a focus in Finance from the University of Idaho and began his career in 2002 as an intern at Northwestern Mutual in Seattle, WA. Over 23 years, he held nearly every field leadership position in the firm, leading a highly productive district office in Bellevue.In 2018, Luke stepped away from his Managing Director role to focus full-time on Pillar Financial Group, which he co-founded with Keith Foe and Kevin Kent. At the time, Pillar managed roughly $400 million in assets with a team of eight. Today, as CEO, Luke has helped grow the firm through disciplined organic growth and targeted acquisitions to 35 team members and close to $2 billion in assets under management. Pillar has since reaffiliated with Cetera Advisors, continuing to scale the firm's capabilities so it can deliver an exceptional client experience for generations to come.Connect with LukeLinkedInAbout Kristin BurkeKristin Burke works with financial advisors and leaders in financial services who are building and scaling firms. She helps them lead more effectively, develop their team, and execute consistently on the priorities that drive growth.Work with KristinIf you are building a firm and want a strategic partner to help you think through leadership, team development, and execution, you can learn more about working with Kristin here:WebsiteConnect on LinkedInLinkedIn

Today we step back from the daily rush and face a simple coaching question that exposes how well we’re actually building for growth. Learn why “working on the business” gets postponed and how small, focused actions can quietly shape the future of the firm.Key topics discussed in this episode:• The coaching question that reveals your current leadership focus• The difference between work tied to deadlines and work tied to growth• Practical examples like documenting processes and redesigning the calendar• Why leaders have to create time instead of waiting to get caught up Follow Elite Achievement for more conversations on leadership and high-level execution. About Kristin BurkeKristin Burke works with financial advisors and leaders in financial services who are building and scaling firms. She helps them lead more effectively, develop their team, and execute consistently on the priorities that drive growth.Work with KristinIf you are building a firm and want a strategic partner to help you think through leadership, team development, and execution, you can learn more about working with Kristin here:WebsiteConnect on LinkedInLinkedIn

Today we talked with Socium Advisors founder and CEO Scott Underwood about the moment he decides to either become a real CEO or hire one, then commits to building the leadership skill set. He shares how a planning-first model and serious investment in people help drive growth from roughly $500M to nearly $5B AUM.Key topics discussed in this episode:• Building written comprehensive financial plans so products serve the plan• Creating an organization to deliver high-quality service at scale• Hitting the CEO inflection point and committing to leadership growth• Delegating with clarity so teams get real professional autonomy• Reducing micromanagement to build trust and performanceFollow Elite Achievement for more conversations on leadership and high-level execution. About ScottScott Underwood is the Founder and CEO of Socium Advisors, where he leads with a simple belief: the employee experience drives the client experience. Under his leadership, Socium has grown from an insurance-focused practice into a nationally recognized advisory firm serving individuals, families, and businesses through comprehensive financial planning.Scott began his career with a Northwestern Mutual internship in 1991 and was recognized as a Top 10 Intern for three consecutive years, including one year as the top intern in the company. As the industry evolved, Scott expanded his vision and built a firm centered on partnership, long-term relationships, and exceptional client service.Today, Scott is consistently recognized as one of the top advisors in the country, earning honors such as the Barron’s Top 1200 Advisors award and the Forbes Financial Security Award. He also serves on the Forbes Finance Council. Throughout his career, Scott has remained committed to helping clients navigate complex financial decisions while building a culture where both team members and clients can thrive.Connect with ScottLinkedInInstagramWebsiteAbout Kristin BurkeKristin Burke works with financial advisors and leaders in financial services who are building and scaling firms. She helps them lead more effectively, develop their team, and execute consistently on the priorities that drive growth.Work with KristinIf you are building a firm and want a strategic partner to help you think through leadership, team development, and execution, you can learn more about working with Kristin here:WebsiteConnect on LinkedInLinkedIn

Have you ever wondered why leaders with average ideas often outperform leaders with great ideas? The answer is by executing with focus and consistency. In this Elite Insights episode we break down three specific ways execution fails inside growing firms and the questions we use to get teams back on track.Key topics discussed in this episode:• Choosing one or two needle-moving actions and staying with them• Reviewing metrics without asking “so what” and deciding what changes• Turning reports into decisions, owners, and next actions• Using activity and consistency to build repeatable results Follow Elite Achievement for more conversations on leadership and high-level execution. About Kristin BurkeKristin Burke works with financial advisors and leaders in financial services who are building and scaling firms. She helps them lead more effectively, develop their team, and execute consistently on the priorities that drive growth.Work with KristinIf you are building a firm and want a strategic partner to help you think through leadership, team development, and execution, you can learn more about working with Kristin here:WebsiteConnect on LinkedInLinkedIn

Today we talk through the moment leaders realize something is off on the team and why waiting usually makes the situation worse for everyone. We lay out a practical way to separate performance issues from role design problems so you can hire, coach, or make a change with clarity.Key topics discussed in this episode:• The hidden team cost of delaying tough conversations• Separating performance problems from culture fit issues• Aligning job descriptions with market compensation• Considering fractional help when revenue cannot support senior hires• Keeping the selection process tight and comparing candidates consistentlyFollow Elite Achievement for more conversations on leadership and high-level execution. About ClaireClaire Myers Vitale is the Founder of Claire Myers Consulting, a Sonoma-based talent firm specializing in wealth management and companies that are in hyper-growth mode. Their mission is simple: Connect businesses with top-tier talent through integrity-driven, fair, and innovative recruiting strategies.Claire spent 10 years with Northwestern Mutual in a recruiting and coaching capacity. She rounded out her tenure with the firm sitting on the Executive Team of Northwestern Mutual San Francisco and serving as their Chief Recruiting Officer.She holds an MBA from Alverno College, is a Master Certified Coach, and is certified in Organization Change Management through Prosci. Claire is also recognized in the Kitces Advisor Services Map.Claire is a proud foster parent and lives in Sonoma, CA with her husband Jon, who is a firefighter, their daughter, and three loving dogs. She also owns a Co-working space downtown Sonoma with another business owner - if you are ever in Sonoma, stop by and say hello!Connect with Clairehttps://www.clairemyersconsulting.com/About Kristin BurkeKristin Burke works with financial advisors and leaders in financial services who are building and scaling firms. She helps them lead more effectively, develop their team, and execute consistently on the priorities that drive growth.Work with KristinIf you are building a firm and want a strategic partner to help you think through leadership, team development, and execution, you can learn more about working with Kristin here:WebsiteConnect on LinkedInLinkedIn

Making a change on your team can feel emotionally brutal, especially when hope, doubt, and logistics collide. Listen to this short episode to explore the hidden costs of hesitation and why choosing a direction helps me lead with more clarity.Key topics discussed in this episode:• The emotional energy drain of waffling back and forth• Why performance often improves when you start questioning fit• How indecision creates irritation, rumination, and stalled focus• How workarounds, overchecking, and reluctance to delegate slow growth• Choosing between two hard options rather than waiting for certaintyFollow Elite Achievement for more conversations on leadership and high-level execution. About Kristin BurkeKristin Burke works with financial advisors and leaders in financial services who are building and scaling firms. She helps them lead more effectively, develop their team, and execute consistently on the priorities that drive growth.Work with KristinIf you are building a firm and want a strategic partner to help you think through leadership, team development, and execution, you can learn more about working with Kristin here:WebsiteConnect on LinkedInLinkedIn

Resilience is not built in a single moment. It is built through the small choices, habits, and perspectives we return to over time.John O’Leary shares lessons on adversity, leadership, and why the fundamentals we practice every day often matter more than the big moments we remember.• Why asking “why not me?” creates a different response to adversity• How the signals we pay attention to shape the way we lead and think• The role of service and small actions in building belief and purpose• Why leadership fundamentals compound over timeAbout John:John O’Leary is a bestselling author, internationally recognized speaker, and host of the Live Inspired Podcast. After surviving a devastating accident at age nine that doctors believed he would not survive, John went on to inspire millions through his message of resilience, hope, and purposeful living. He has shared his story and insights with audiences around the world, helping individuals and organizations navigate adversity, strengthen mindset, and lead with greater intention. His story has been brought to life in the feature film Soul on Fire.Connect with JohnInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/johnoleary.inspires/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-o-leary-08b2805/Website: https://johnolearyinspires.com/About Kristin BurkeKristin Burke works with financial advisors and leaders in financial services who are building and scaling firms. She helps them lead more effectively, develop their team, and execute consistently on the priorities that drive growth.Work with KristinIf you are building a firm and want a strategic partner to help you think through leadership, team development, and execution, you can learn more about working with Kristin here:WebsiteConnect on LinkedInLinkedIn

Have you ever thought about the emotional side of scaling a firm and why leadership feels harder when success depends on other people? Today we explore how resilient leaders handle disappointment, uncertainty, and self-doubt without losing their vision.Key topics discussed in this episode:• The hidden emotional cost of building and scaling a firm• The producer to leader shift and why it can shake confidence• Resilience as the mindset that keeps leaders showing up• Preview of next week’s special guestFollow Elite Achievement for more conversations on leadership and high-level execution. About Kristin BurkeKristin Burke works with financial advisors and leaders in financial services who are building and scaling firms. She helps them lead more effectively, develop their team, and execute consistently on the priorities that drive growth.Work with KristinIf you are building a firm and want a strategic partner to help you think through leadership, team development, and execution, you can learn more about working with Kristin here:WebsiteConnect on LinkedInLinkedIn

Peter Tiboris helps us explore the mental shift from being a strong producer to acting like a CEO who builds a scalable advisory firm. Peter shared with us how to dig into hiring ahead of the numbers, staying relentless on prospecting, and using vision and values to grow Park Avenue Capital into a multi-billion-dollar organization.Key topics discussed in this episode:• The difference between a successful advisor and a true entrepreneur• What changes when a practice becomes a firm• Hiring the right person first and solving payroll after• Prospecting as the foundation that supports risk and growth• Growing as a leader by balancing directness with empathyFollow Elite Achievement for more conversations on leadership and high-level execution.About PeterPeter Tiboris began his career with Northwestern Mutual in 2002 and has grown into one of the top advisors and firm leaders in the industry. He is the co-founder of Park Avenue Capital, one of the largest ensembles at Northwestern Mutual, built through both organic growth and strategic succession partnerships.Peter has been recognized as a Barron’s Top 1200 Advisor and Forbes Best in State Advisor, and ranks among the top advisors in Northwestern Mutual history for career insurance production. He is known for his long-term vision, relationship-driven growth strategy, and ability to build through people.In this episode, Peter shares his perspective on scaling a firm, reinvesting into growth, building leadership infrastructure, and the mindset required to pursue a bold vision.Connect with PeterWebsiteInstagramFacebookLinkedInAbout Kristin BurkeKristin Burke works with financial advisors and leaders in financial services who are building and scaling firms. She helps them lead more effectively, develop their team, and execute consistently on the priorities that drive growth.Work with KristinIf you are building a firm and want a strategic partner to help you think through leadership, team development, and execution, you can learn more about working with Kristin here:WebsiteConnect on LinkedInLinkedIn

Have you ever wondered why building a financial advisory firm can create a new kind of overwhelm as you juggle revenue, hiring, and people leadership at the same time. Today we lay out what the “messy middle” looks like and how to shift from producing results yourself to leading a team that produces results with you. Key topics discussed in this episode:• The messy middle between top producer and CEO• Making team development non-negotiable with consistent one-on-ones• Hiring as the beginning, not the end• Delegation of tasks versus delegation of client relationships Follow Elite Achievement for more conversations on leadership and high-level execution. About Kristin BurkeKristin Burke works with financial advisors and leaders in financial services who are building and scaling firms. She helps them lead more effectively, develop their team, and execute consistently on the priorities that drive growth.Work with KristinIf you are building a firm and want a strategic partner to help you think through leadership, team development, and execution, you can learn more about working with Kristin here:WebsiteConnect on LinkedInLinkedIn