FPA keeps adding coaches to its pro-bono roster but quid pro quo makes the medicine go down as mom-and-pop consultants help mom-and-pop advisors

Hey Brooke! Just seeing this article. I appreciate the article and the desire for greater clarity, as well as the thoughtful reporting we've come to expect from RIAbiz. I can speak for myself in stating that I receive no compensation from the FPA for my participation. There's no question that participating Coaches want to be a resource to demonstrate their credibility and build their brand - that's "good" marketing (marketing that serves both parties). My situation is unique, I've built up 24 years of business expertise and chose to focus my section of Coaches Corner on mindset because I saw a host of capable Coaches who could cover that side of things. My focus is on how advisers can create what I call "high performance happiness" which means that elevating your business thinking (mindset), strategy (mapping), best practices (methods) and momentum (personal performance) can radically and rapidly accelerate your success, give you back your time and freedom and help you build a wildly successful business and a life that you love. I participate because it's part of my "give back" -- I remember being walked through my FPA conference hall at 24 by client Norm Boone, who introduced me to Bob Veres who introduced me to Financial Planning where I wrote my first column. Coaches Corner is my way of giving back to the organization that created a space for me to get my start. And yes it's also a space where advisers can decide they want to learn more about our Limitless Adviser Coaching program, or the services other Coaches can offer to them. I've found it to be a well-intentioned undertaking that has the potential to deliver real value to members who take advantage of this resource. Is it intended to or going to take the place of hiring a Coach? No, of course not. But it's a great place to start assessing where you are so that you can decide where you want to go and how. But it's not for everyone -- after all people on a treadmill don't need a map :