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Interpersonal Impact

Cultivating effective relationships with influence and positive impact on others.

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Competency Overview

This competency includes a collection of knowledge, skills, and behaviors for cultivating effective relationships with influence and positive impact on others.

Cultural Effectiveness

Pursues insights to understand and encourage gender, cultural, religious, educational, racial, ethnic, socio-economic and other forms of diversity, equity and inclusion for the mutual benefit of clients, colleagues and the financial planning practice.
Emotional Intelligence

Recognizes personal emotions and potential biases to self-manage and listen effectively, and demonstrates care, empathy and understanding of others’ emotions, needs, perspectives, and interests to build stronger rapport and relationship.
Conveys Mature Confidence

Projects authenticity, poise, and well-grounded self-assurance that builds others’ confidence through communication and interactions.
Inspires Trust

Aligns words and actions with consistency while demonstrating fairness, respect and integrity and recognizing any ethical dilemmas that require appropriate action and communication.
Networks and Collaborates

Cultivates wide and diverse relationships and increased mutual benefits through working together on common goals, sharing expertise, resources, and support.

Proficiency Levels

Foundational
  • Demonstrates openness, empathy, and awareness of diverse perspectives
  • Regulates personal emotions and communicates needs clearly
  • Acknowledges mistakes and listens actively
  • Fulfills responsibilities consistently and follows through
  • Builds early professional networks and identifies shared goals
 Intermediate
  • Applies DEI principles in team practices and client work
  • Maintains composure under pressure and uses empathy to understand others
  • Shares responsibility, praises others, and applies humility
  • Builds trust through candid communication and alignment of values
  • Expands diverse networks and draws on team strengths
 Advanced
  • Leads systemic inclusion efforts and facilitates bias awareness
  • Builds resilience in self and others; fosters emotionally intelligent environments
  • Encourages open feedback, addresses conflict with confidence
  • Resolves misalignment with empathy and protects all stakeholders’ interests
  • Breaks down collaboration barriers and supports learning across differences

The FPA® Competency Model™ | ©2025 Financial Planning Association. All rights reserved.

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Why this Competency Matters

Financial planning is more than numbers — it's about people. The Interpersonal Impact competency strengthens your ability to connect, collaborate, and inspire trust with clients, colleagues, and communities.

Competency Snapshot

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1. Take the Self-Assessment
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2. Explore Your Learning Path
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3. Advance with Confidence
Focus your time and energy where it matters most.
4. Reassess Regularly
Return to this model at least twice a year to see how your priorities shift


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Helpful Tools and Resources

The FPA Competency Model™

Gain a comprehensive view of the model, including all competencies, detailed sub-competencies, and associated behavioral indicators.

The FPA Competency Model™: At a Glance

View the highlights of the six competencies and their key focus areas, providing a high-level snapshot ideal for orientation, planning discussions, or quick reference.

The FPA Competency Model™: A Quick Start Guide

New to the model? This guide is the perfect place begin.

Courses within this Competency