As RIA firms grow quickly, many young advisors feel they aren’t getting the clear career paths they want. Rapid expansion, shifting team structures, and informal guidance mean next-gen professionals often don’t know how to advance, leaving them unsure of their future within the firm. A recent InvestmentNews article discussed how rapid RIA growth is leaving many next-gen advisors without clear guidance on how to advance.
Matthew Cleary says many larger firms adopt a “sink or swim model” where new advisors are expected to “hit the ground running with revenue or sales goals” but are given limited structure or support. He notes that this approach often lacks “a well-defined career path,” making it hard for younger advisors to understand how to progress.
Cleary also believes AI can be a major advantage for next-gen advisors, calling it “a huge opportunity” for those who learn to master new tools and become valuable assets to their teams. Still, he stresses that technology can’t replace human mentorship or hands-on experience. His core message is that firms must clearly define expectations and “be very explicit in the way that the job is defined and what success means” to properly develop the next generation.
“It makes a lot of sense to make sure we’re ramping up the next generation. It’s just embracing new technology and then being very explicit in the way that the job is defined and what success means."
Interested in learning more? Check out the full InvestmentNews article here.
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