The Overweight Doctor Principle
Why It Matters Who You Take Advice From
When you’re looking for medical advice, would you trust a doctor who doesn’t follow their own recommendations? If a doctor isn’t prioritizing their own health, it raises questions about the effectiveness and credibility of their guidance. The same principle applies to financial advisors. I call this the "Overweight Doctor Principle"—a simple yet powerful way to evaluate whether an advisor is practicing what they preach.
At Landis Wealth Advisors, I believe that financial guidance should be rooted in both professional expertise and personal conviction. This means that whenever possible and aligned with my clients’ unique financial situations, I recommend strategies and investment products that I personally use or have used in the past. By doing so, I ensure that my advice isn’t just theoretical but tested in real-world financial decisions.
That doesn’t mean every strategy I implement for myself is the right fit for every client—everyone’s financial situation is different. But it does mean that I approach every recommendation with the same level of care and scrutiny that I apply to my own finances.
A Fiduciary Standard Built on Trust
The fiduciary standard legally requires advisors to act in their clients’ best interests. But beyond compliance, true fiduciary responsibility comes down to trust.
When working with an advisor, ask yourself:
Are they making recommendations based on what’s best for you, or based on sales incentives?
Do they have firsthand experience with the strategies they are recommending?
Are they guiding you with transparency and integrity?
Financial planning should be built on trust, discipline, and a commitment to your best interests. If an advisor isn’t living by the same financial principles they advocate for their clients, it’s worth questioning why.
Ensure your advisor is living the way they are advising.
