Picture this.

Over 1,000 financial advisors and coaches at FinCon, the conference I attended in the US.

All looking to deepen their expertise and pockets.

And one evening weeks before my flight, I received an email.

I'd been invited to an intimate dinner by a dear friend, founder, and OG Financial Coach, Kelsa Dickey.

I did not expect what followed.

I sat amongst the biggest change-makers in Personal Finance.

And next to me, a man who spoke little… but captivated everyone.

This is how I met Derrick Kinney

​Derrick is a Forbes-acclaimed Financial Advisor, and Owner of an Advisory Practice which he built and sold for millions of dollars.

Now a best-selling author of a book I love "Good Money Revolution", he helps Advisors grow their practices with purpose.

I shared with him the distrust I see people feel when desperately needing financial advice, but not knowing or having anyone to turn to.

Derrick's response?

"Most people can't spot the difference between a real advisor and a commission-hungry product pusher."

Then he shared something that changed everything for me.

He gave me 5 specific red flags that reveal whether someone truly has your best interests at heart - or just wants to lighten your wallet.

Here's what every financial advisor hopes you'll never learn to spot:

Red Flag #1: The Doctor Test Failure

Derrick shared something brilliant that he calls the Doctor Test:

"You wouldn't trust a doctor who prescribed medicine without asking about your symptoms, right?"

Yet that's exactly what most financial advisors do.

They meet you once, barely ask about your goals, and immediately start pitching their "perfect solution" - usually whatever product pays them the highest commission.

A real advisor? They ask uncomfortable questions. They dig deep. They make you think about things you'd rather avoid.

Like: "What does financial security actually mean to you?"

Not: "Would you like to hear about our premium wealth management package?"

Red Flag #2: They Stay in the Shallow End

Here's how to spot a product pusher in 30 seconds:

They stay in the shallow end.

They ask surface-level questions like:

• "How much do you want to invest?"
• "What's your risk tolerance?"
• "When do you want to retire?"

A real advisor goes deeper:

• "Tell me about a financial decision you regret and why."
• "What money lessons did your parents teach you?"
• "What's keeping you awake at night about your finances?"

The difference? One wants to sell you something. The other wants to understand you.

Red Flag #3: They Can't Pass the Experience Test

Here's Derrick's genius question to ask any potential advisor:

"Tell me about a time you helped someone like me get out of my exact situation."

If they can't give you a specific example - with steps, process, and outcomes - run.

If they give you some generic story about "helping clients build wealth," run faster.

You want someone who's solved your specific problem before. Not someone who thinks their fancy credentials make them qualified for everything.

Red Flag #4: They Break the Friendship Rule

Think about your best friendships.

Do they spend the entire conversation talking about themselves? Of course not.

Yet most financial advisors do exactly that. They blast you with their achievements, their process, their products.

A good advisor listens more than they talk.

They ask follow-up questions. They remember what you said last meeting. They care more about your goals than their commission targets.

Red Flag #5: They Lack the Empathy Factor

Here's what blew my mind about Derrick's approach:

"Just because someone has all the credentials doesn't make them more qualified than a financial coach or educator."

What matters isn't the letters after their name. It's whether they have:

• Empathy: do they understand your situation?
• Trust: do you believe they have your best interests at heart?
• Credibility: can they actually help you achieve your goals?

I've met financial coaches who understand money psychology better than Certified Finance Planners (CFPs) with decades of experience.

And I've met "qualified" advisors who couldn't care less about their clients' actual wellbeing.

Bonus Red Flag: They Can't Answer the WIFFM Question

Derrick nailed it with this one:

Clients only care about WIFFM: "What's In It For Me?"

Not your fancy office. Not your industry awards. Not your investment philosophy.

They want to know: "Will working with you actually improve my life?"

Can you help them sleep better at night? Retire earlier? Stop worrying about money?

That's what matters.

So Here's My Question for You:

If you're already working with an Advisor: Are they someone who actually understands you? Or are you paying someone to push products you don't need, to solve problems you don't have?

If you're looking for financial guidance: Now you know exactly what to watch for. Don't settle for the first person with fancy credentials or fancy social media presence who promises to "make you rich."

Because here's the thing: you deserve better than being treated like a commission target.

You deserve someone who listens. Who understands. Who has your back.

Whether that's a certified financial planner, a money coach, or even doing it yourself with the right guidance.

The credentials matter to a certain extent. But you need to feel that they care, throughout.

What red flags have you seen with financial experts? Hit reply and tell me your horror stories. I read every response.

My Gift to You

Aside from the very happy picture of Derrick, Kelsa, and I, I'd love for you to:
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1. ​Watch our interview where he dives into deeper detail on each of these 6 flags.
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2. ​Learn from his book, "Good Money Revolution: More Money To Do More Good". Recommended by Bill Perkins, author of "Die with Zero" and Mel Robbins, creator of "The 5 Second Rule", he teaches how you as a good person, can make good money to do good things. Get this on Amazon, and follow him on LinkedIn, too.

P.S. If you're struggling to find someone who truly understands your financial situation, that's exactly why I created the Wealth Clarity Accelerator. It's 1:1 coaching that combines technical expertise with genuine care - understanding your unique situation first, solutions second. Whether you work with an advisor later or go it alone, you'll have clarity on what you actually need.

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