THE SEVEN HABITS OF NAIFA CITIZENS

What binds us together is our desire for continuous improvement and self-excellence.

In a time of disruption and dichotomous viewpoints, there is a natural tendency to want to identify a unifying force to bind us together. For NAIFA, this has never been truer. As we welcome five generations of producers into the industry, we are not only more diverse than ever, but more homogeneous, as well.

What binds us together? What is the same throughout NAIFA Nation? It is not our ages, our races or our ethnicities — it is our desire for continuous improvement and self-excellence. NAIFA members have the same DNA, whether they reside in rural or urban areas, manage big practices or single shingle — the DNA we share is to care.

We call these commonalities and their practice the “NAIFA Way” and focus our new members’ attention on the activities they need to undertake to be considered good “NAIFA Citizens.” When we look at our top producers, we notice they share a common profile, which we are now sharing with all new members to fast-track them on their path to success.

NAIFA Citizens are dedicated members who take pride in belonging to an association that has been at the forefront of the financial services industry for 130 years. While they work in different markets, specialize in a wide range of products, and provide a broad array of services, all of them share these seven key habits:

1. NAIFA Citizens believe in the power of NAIFA’s political advocacy to secure a favorable business climate for agents, advisors and the clients they serve. NAIFA is a force to be reckoned with when it comes to protecting the insurance and financial services industry from harmful legislation and regulation. Since its inception 130 years ago, the association has positively influenced hundreds of laws and pieces of regulation, which made it less cumbersome and onerous for NAIFA members to secure their clients’ financial futures.

2. NAIFA Citizens adhere to the NAIFA Code of Ethics, which demands that the best interests of clients come first. The financial advisory practice is a profession that demands high ethical standards from its members, governed by a mandate to always put the clients’ interests first. NAIFA Citizens live by this mandate day in and day out as they work to help keep families intact and with hope, no matter the financial challenges they face.

3. NAIFA Citizens believe in a culture of belonging . A belief in this culture empowers them to combine their strengths, network with peers and be part of something that is greater than themselves. This culture of belonging is becoming increasingly important in today’s uncertain world because it gives many people the feeling that they have a community to turn to in good times and in bad.

4. NAIFA Citizens believe in continuous education and certification. Most NAIFA Citizens take time from their busy schedules to pursue industry designations and certifications like the LUTCF designation and the LACP certification because they know that informed advisors are best equipped to serve their clients and guide them on the path to financial security.

In addition to NAIFA’s Leadership in Life Institute (LILI), NAIFA Citizens take full advantage of a plethora of NAIFA educational programs. These include:

• NAIFA Big Ideas Webinars

• NAIFA Live. National Monthly Membership Meeting featuring top speakers with sales ideas.

• The NAIFA Centers of Excellence Content and event hubs focused on personal development, practice management and specialty areas such as long-term care.

• NAIFA’s Performance + Purpose Conference. This premier conference allows attendees to learn from experts and peers. It challenges their frame of reference, incites their curiosity and motivates them to perform at higher levels of success. Because of socialdistancing rules caused by COVID19, this year’s P+P will be virtual. For registration information, please visit conference.naifa.org.

• NAIFA’s Advisor Today. NAIFA Citizens frequently turn to Advisor Today magazine for the best practices, sales ideas and cutting-edge strategies they need to enhance the financial performance of their practices.

5. NAIFA Citizens give generously of their time and talent to NAIFA . The success of NAIFA is made possible by the work of hundreds of NAIFA leaders and volunteers who serve on committees, boards, focus groups and task forces. These dedicated NAIFA Citizens share their expertise willingly and mentor those in need of guidance and direction. They have accepted the responsibilities of leadership and service, and bring to their positions a sense of personal pride.

6. NAIFA Citizens are active in their communities. Spend some time with NAIFA Citizens and you will quickly discover the huge amount of time they spend volunteering in their communities and making meaningful contributions to neighborhoods, schools, civic associations and faith-based organizations. Much of what they do goes uncompensated; yet, their services provide immeasurable value in the form of peace of mind, promises kept and dreams fulfilled.

7. NAIFA Citizens represent the interests of Main Street USA . According to a recent survey, nine out of 10 NAIFA members serve middle-income clients, and almost half serve at least some lower-income clients. NAIFA Citizens are in communities across the country, striving to ensure financial security and prosperity for friends and neighbors, local families and small-business owners. They understand the financial challenges Main Street Americans face, know where gaps in their level of financial literacy exist, and provide solutions to close those gaps.

NAIFA members who possess these seven habits are among the most successful agents and advisors in the industry. By giving their time and talent to the association, they are gaining the strategies and leadership skills they need to build fulfilling and rewarding careers.