Podcast
The Uncommon Advisor
Hosted by Alicia Byers · EN
Most financial advisors are good at what they do. But in today's world, good is forgettable. The Uncommon Advisor is the show for financial advisors who want to stand out — not for flashy marketing or gimmicks, but for the way they show up for clients, lead their teams, spend their time, and measure what matters.
10episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Ep 27: Transitioning From Free Advice to Paid Planning Within Your Existing Book
Apr 1300:19:23Tap to summarizeTransitioning from free advice to paid financial planning can feel uncomfortable—especially when you've been serving your existing clients for years without charging for it. In this episode of The Uncommon Advisor, business strategist Alicia Byers breaks down how to make the shift to fee-based planning within your current book of business—without damaging relationships or starting from scratch. Many advisors feel stuck between two worlds: continuing to over-serve existing clients for free or building a new business model from the ground up. But the truth is, your current book isn't a problem—it's your greatest opportunity. In this episode, Alicia covers: Why you're not "going backwards" by charging—your business is evolving The key difference between product-based advice and true financial planning How to clearly define and communicate your planning value Why client education is the most important step in making the transition How to identify the right clients to introduce fee-based planning first Because this isn't about fixing the past—it's about elevating how you serve and getting paid for the value you now deliver. Book time with Alicia: https://calendly.com/byersstrategygroup/new-meeting
Transcribe →Ep 26: The Hidden Cost of Being The Nice Advisor
Apr 600:21:41Tap to summarizeBeing responsive, available, and always saying yes might make you a great advisor—but it can also quietly burn you out. In this episode of The Uncommon Advisor, business strategist Alicia Byers unpacks the hidden cost of being "the nice advisor." While over-delivering may feel like exceptional service, it often leads to overextension, lack of boundaries, and a business that starts running you. The truth? This isn't a client problem—it's an expectation problem. When advisors operate without structure, they unintentionally train clients to expect constant access, immediate responses, and unlimited availability. And over time, that becomes unsustainable. In this episode, Alicia shares: Why "service without structure" leads to burnout How advisors unknowingly train client expectations The shift from reactive service to intentional structure Simple ways to reset boundaries without sacrificing client experience Because being a great advisor isn't about being endlessly available—it's about being clear, intentional, and sustainable in how you serve. Book time with Alicia: https://calendly.com/byersstrategygroup/new-meeting
Transcribe →Ep 25: Should You Segment Your Book of Business?
Mar 3000:18:22Tap to summarizeShould you actually segment your book of business—or is it just another administrative exercise that changes nothing? In this episode of The Uncommon Advisor, business strategist Alicia Byers breaks down one of the most common pieces of advice financial advisors hear: "You should segment your clients." While segmentation can be incredibly powerful, many advisors turn it into a complicated scoring system that takes hours to build—and ultimately has zero impact on how the business actually operates. The real purpose of segmentation isn't labeling clients. It's creating clarity around how you allocate your time, attention, and service model so your business can grow without burning out. In this episode, Alicia covers: Why most client segmentation strategies fail The real reason advisors are encouraged to segment their book How to simplify segmentation into just a few meaningful categories How segmentation should directly shape your service model, boundaries, and client experience Because when segmentation is done correctly, it becomes one of the most powerful tools for scaling your practice—allowing you to serve the right clients deeply while still maintaining excellent service across your business. Book time with Alicia here: https://calendly.com/byersstrategygroup/new-meeting
Transcribe →Ep 24: Why Prospecting Feels Hard (And What Actually Fixes It)
Mar 2300:14:22Tap to summarizeProspecting is one of the most common frustrations for financial advisors. When the pipeline slows down, the instinct is usually the same: I just need to meet more people. But what if the real problem isn't prospecting—it's clarity? In this episode of The Uncommon Advisor, business strategist Alicia Byers explains why many advisors struggle with new client growth even while working hard, networking, and staying active. The issue often isn't effort—it's scattered activity without a clear focus on who you serve best. When advisors get specific about their ideal client, everything changes: their message becomes sharper, their network understands how to help them, and prospecting starts to feel like natural conversations instead of pressure. In this episode, Alicia shares: Why prospecting often feels harder than it should The real reason pipelines tend to dry up How clarity around your ideal client transforms your growth A simple four-question exercise to help you define your niche Because most advisors don't need more leads—they need clearer direction on who they're meant to serve. Book time with Alicia: https://calendly.com/byersstrategygroup/new-meeting
Transcribe →Ep 23: Choosing to Remember
Mar 1600:12:34Tap to summarize*]:pointer-events-auto scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" tabindex="-1" data-turn-id= "request-69ab5167-dcc4-8326-9710-f12b23b31ddc-0" data-testid= "conversation-turn-6" data-scroll-anchor="true" data-turn= "assistant"> What if the key to building a meaningful advisory career isn't just measuring progress—but remembering it? In this episode of The Uncommon Advisor, business strategist Alicia Byers shares a personal tradition that has shaped how she thinks about business, growth, and reflection. Each year, she and her husband choose a word and a small object to represent their year together—creating a visual reminder of the moments that shaped their journey. It raises an important question for financial advisors: Are you intentionally remembering the story of your business? While metrics help advisors measure growth, they also serve another powerful purpose—they create a record of the journey. Without intentional reflection, years of progress, lessons, and meaningful client moments can quietly fade into the background. In this episode, Alicia explores: Why visual reminders help us process and remember important moments How tracking metrics creates a narrative of your business over time Why advisors should set aside intentional time each year to reflect on their practice A simple exercise to help you capture the story of your business year by year Because you're not just building production numbers—you're building a career, relationships, and a legacy. And the advisors who build meaningful businesses are the ones who choose to remember the journey along the way. Book time with Alicia: https://calendly.com/byersstrategygroup/new-meeting
Transcribe →EP 22: Three Numbers You Should Be Tracking in Your Business
Mar 900:16:00Tap to summarizeAre you tracking the numbers that actually drive growth in your advisory business—or just the ones that tell you what already happened? In this episode of The Uncommon Advisor, business strategist Alicia Byers breaks down the three simple metrics every financial advisor should be tracking to understand the true health and momentum of their practice. Most advisors focus on revenue and production—but those are rearview mirror metrics. If you want to grow with intention, you need visibility into the leading indicators that signal what's coming next. In this episode, Alicia walks through the three numbers that reveal whether your business is growing, maintaining, or about to slow down: Meaningful Client Conversations Referral Conversations Initiated Opportunities in Motion These metrics help you move from operating on hustle and guesswork to leading your business with clarity, predictability, and strategy. If you want fewer peaks and valleys—and a practice that grows on purpose—this episode will show you exactly where to start. Book some time with Alicia: https://calendly.com/byersstrategygroup/new-meeting
Transcribe →EP 21: How to Powerfully Introduce Yourself & Create Conversation
Mar 200:13:38Tap to summarizeIn this episode of The Uncommon Advisor, Alicia tackles one of the most overlooked skills in an advisor's career: how to introduce yourself in a way that actually creates conversation. You're at a networking event. Someone asks, "So what do you do?" If your answer sounds like, "I do retirement planning" or "I offer comprehensive financial plans," chances are the conversation quietly dies. Not because your work isn't valuable. But because you led with a feature instead of a transformation. In this practical, tactical episode, Alicia shares a simple but powerful framework called "laddering" to help you: Move from features → to function → to outcome → to emotional impact → to identity shift Stop sounding like a walking product brochure Trigger curiosity instead of evaluation Introduce yourself in a way that communicates authority and transformation Use real-life case studies to make your value tangible and memorable You'll learn how to answer "What do you do?" in a way that opens doors instead of closing them—and how to articulate the real change your clients experience because of your partnership. Because uncommon advisors don't introduce themselves by what they sell. They introduce themselves by who their clients become. If you're ready to sound different, stand out instantly, and create more meaningful conversations, this episode is your blueprint. Subscribe and share with another advisor who's ready to become not just productive—but unforgettable. Book time with Alicia: https://calendly.com/byersstrategygroup/new-meeting
Transcribe →Ep 20: The Dark Side of Productivity
Feb 2300:12:59Tap to summarizeIn this episode of The Uncommon Advisor, Alicia dives into a conversation most high performers don't see coming: the addiction to productivity. What if the anxiety you're feeling isn't because you're behind… but because you don't know how to stop? For financial advisors and entrepreneurs, measurable progress is everywhere—revenue goals, meetings, launches, client growth. Every completed task delivers a small dopamine hit, reinforcing the cycle of doing more. But dopamine doesn't measure meaning. It only rewards completion. And over time, productivity can quietly become how we regulate our emotions. In this honest and personal episode, Alicia shares: The subtle difference between healthy discipline and productivity addiction The neuroscience behind dopamine, reward loops, and why "getting things done" feels so good How high achievers unknowingly stay in a constant stress cycle Why rest can become just another box to check Practical ways to practice true stillness (without turning it into a productivity hack) If you're hitting your goals but still feel restless… if your calendar looks manageable but your nervous system feels maxed out… this episode will challenge you in the best way. The most uncommon advisors aren't just productive. They're regulated. They have margin. They enjoy their lives. This week, instead of asking, "What can I move forward?" try asking, "Where can I disengage?" Subscribe and share with another advisor who's ready to build a business rooted not just in growth—but in peace. Book a time with Alicia: https://calendly.com/byersstrategygroup/new-meeting
Transcribe →EP 19: It's Not About Your Goals. It's About Your Standards.
Dec 800:19:27Tap to summarizeMost financial advisors don't have a goal problem — they have a standards problem. In this episode of The Uncommon Advisor, Alicia Byers challenges the traditional New Year rhythm of setting bigger goals and instead uncovers the real reason advisors stay stuck year after year: your goals can only grow as high as the standards you hold yourself to. Alicia breaks down the difference between inspiration and commitment, outcomes and behaviors, and why chasing new goals without elevating your standards leads to burnout, stagnation, and frustration. You'll learn how to: Raise your standards for communication, prep, leadership, and client experience Build rhythm and routines that support your standards Stop relying on motivation and start relying on structure Align your daily habits with the goals you say you want Create a business that rises to meet a new level of excellence If you've ever wondered why your goals keep getting bigger while your results stay the same, this episode gives you the clarity — and the challenge — you've been waiting for. Connect with Alicia here: https://calendly.com/byersstrategygroup/new-meeting
Transcribe →EP 18: Turning Feedback Into Fuel - What to Ask & How To Apply What Clients Tell You
Dec 100:21:08Tap to summarizeAsking for feedback is powerful… but acting on it? That's where the transformation happens. In this episode of The Uncommon Advisor, Alicia Byers takes you deeper into the world of client feedback—specifically how to ask the questions that actually matter and how to turn client responses into clarity, confidence, and real business growth. You'll learn: The difference between random feedback and purposeful, actionable feedback How to choose the right questions for onboarding, plan delivery, and annual reviews Why multiple-choice questions often get you better honesty than open-ended ones How to "close the loop" and use feedback to generate referrals naturally What to do after a client shares something meaningful (the step most advisors skip!) If you've ever felt unsure about what to ask, when to ask, or how to apply feedback once you have it, this episode gives you a clear, simple roadmap to follow. When you invite feedback—and actually use it—you create more trust, more loyalty, and more clients talking about you in the best way possible. Your free resource: 20 Feedback Questions for Financial Advisors. Book your session with Alisha: https://calendly.com/byersstrategygroup/new-meeting
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