image

Leadership

Effective leadership brings relevancy and value to clients, organizations, and the profession.

Start Your Assessment

Competency Overview

This competency includes knowledge, skills, and behaviors for cultivating effective relationships with influence and positive impact.

Builds Diverse and Effective Teams 

Assembles and directs teams whose diverse members have complementary experience and strengths for delivering excellent client experience and outcomes.
Mentors and Develops Others 

Helps other financial planners increase their capabilities and capacity by providing advice, perspective, coaching, and counsel in support of their growth goals and needs.
Personal Brand Development 

Creates an authentic and compelling value proposition with branding that attracts and conveys value to clients.
Business Development 

Applies skills and methods to aid acquiring and maintaining client relationships according to brand messaging and business plans.
Business Model Innovation

Takes a long view of the market to challenge status quo, identify potential threats and opportunities, and create new paradigms for delivering financial planning value to clients.

Proficiency Levels

Foundational
  • Builds trust and inclusiveness within teams
  • Exchanges feedback and connects peers for support
  • Articulates value of financial planning and explores career fit
  • Establishes basic online presence and networks
  • Understands business risks and innovation concepts
Intermediate
  • Aligns team strengths with business priorities and client value
  • Provides timely feedback and role models learning behaviors
  • Refines niche, strengths, and goals for brand growth
  • Strengthens referral networks and expands client engagement
  • Reviews internal systems for business improvement
Advanced
  • Leads equitable talent practices and team performance strategy
  • Creates systems for coaching and mentoring
  • Pursues high-impact career and leadership goals
  • Develops influence and outreach strategies tied to brand and client needs
  • Launches new business models for underserved segments

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

Main Menu

Why this Competency Matters

Leadership is about influence, not just position. This competency empowers professionals to inspire others, model integrity, and create positive impact within their firms, communities, and the profession.

Competency Snapshot

Get Started

1. Take the Self-Assessment
Take the self-assessment to evaluate your current strengths and growth areas. Take Assessment
2. Explore Your Learning Path
Receive personalized course recommendations.
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.


Competency Home

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