Steve Springstead spent 33 years as a wealth advisor and portfolio manager. He built a team, led his own succession, and now coaches advisors and firms through the exact transition he just lived.

In this conversation with Kathleen and Yasmin, Steve shares what actually happened when he told his clients he was retiring, including two reactions that could not have been more different. He walks through what clients quietly need during a transition, the meeting sequence that builds real trust in a new advisor before the old one leaves, and the one question almost every client asked that had nothing to do with money.

This episode is part of Advising Humans' Advisor Transition series, for advisors, firm leaders, and succession planners who want the next transition to feel steadier for the client, not just cleaner on paper.

About Steve Springstead

Steve Springstead, MBA, spent 33 years as a wealth advisor and portfolio manager, including 20 years as an Assistant Branch Manager in the Oakville and Mississauga area. He built and led a team that qualified for President's Council and Chairman's Council year after year, then spent several years intentionally planning and leading his own succession before stepping back from client-facing work.

Today Steve is President and Lead Coach at Execution Edge Coaching and Consulting, where he coaches advisors and firms across the country on future-proofing their practice, attracting and retaining next-gen clients, and using AI in an advisory business. He has spoken on succession planning for the CFA Society of Toronto and on the risks and opportunities of the Great Wealth Transfer, and he is working on his first book, What's Next Gen? Fixing the Wealth Gap One Family at a Time.

Website: https://www.executionedge.org
LinkedIn: https://www.executionedge.org linkedin.com/in/stevespringstead

If something in this conversation landed for you, whether it's language for your own transition planning or a clearer sense of what your clients are quietly carrying, share this with an advisor or firm leader navigating a succession right now.

Show notes and episode resources: https://advisinghumans.com

The Great Wealth Transfer is not just about money moving. It is a trust test that reveals whether relationships were built deeply enough to hold when wealth changes hands. In this episode of Advising Humans, Yasmin and Kathleen explore why firms cannot assume trust will follow assets to surviving spouses, heirs, or the next generation. They walk through the loyalty gaps that show up in widow retention, heir behavior, and advisor transition research, and make the case that continuity has to be built before the transfer moment arrives. The conversation also shows why proactive family relationships and broader household trust matter for retention, growth, and long-term firm value.

Visit https://advisinghumans.com/ for show notes, episodes, and practical resources.

The first 90 seconds of a divorce meeting can determine whether the client feels more pressured or more steady. In this mini episode of Advising Humans, Yasmin and Kathleen explore what advisors should say when the conversation becomes less about information and more about emotional relief, overload, and what happens next. They share a practical opening line, three high-impact questions, and the signals advisors should listen for beneath the surface. The conversation also shows why one clear next step, delivered in a steady tone, can protect decision quality and start building trust right away.

Visit https://advisinghumans.com/ for show notes, episodes, and practical resources.