I've heard many analogies to describe what a financial advisor does for their clients (and you probably have too). It's not uncommon to hear advisors described as:
- Your personal CFO,
- A personal trainer for your finances, or
- Your financial quarterback.
But with football season in full swing, I've been giving the quarterback analogy some extra thought, and I'm not convinced it fits. Sure, a quarterback plays a critical role. But is your advisor really the star player in your financial life? I don't think so.
Here are my thoughts on it.
Understanding the Role of a Quarterback
In football, the quarterback is responsible for running the offense, as well as interpreting real-time information on each play to make the best decision. Sometimes, if the defense is lined up a certain way, the quarterback has to call an audible, or make a change to the play originally called based on the preparation for that game. Once the ball is snapped, the quarterback must interpret how the defense is playing. He then has to execute the plays based on the information he's taking in.
That Said, Who's the Real Quarterback Here?
The quarterback of your financial picture is not your financial advisor; it's you. As your advisor, I can't spend (or not spend) your money, complete your estate plan, change your insurance deductibles, buy insurance, cancel insurance, or take out loans on your behalf. This is a good thing because, at the end of the day, you're the one in control, as you should be.
So, where do I fit in as your advisor? I'd say I'm more like your offensive coordinator—helping you plan the plays, read the defense, and make smart, confident decisions when it matters most.
The Role of an Offensive Coordinator
An offensive coordinator (or OC) is responsible for both strategy and tactics. When it comes to strategy, think of it as the overarching game plan—the big-picture approach to reaching your goals. It gives us a high-level view of your financial roadmap so we can see where you're headed and how to get there.
In football, strategies often change from week to week depending on the opponent. In your financial life, the strategy shifts less frequently because your goals tend to be longer-term. Retirement, for example, or ensuring you don't run out of money—those are priorities that stay consistent over time.
"Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win" - Sun Tzu
Example: The Packers and The Eagles
I'm reminded of a Packers game from Week 2 last season. In Week 1, they lost their starting quarterback to a leg injury, and the backup had only been with the team for a few weeks.
Going into Week 2, the strategy was simple: limit the backup's exposure by throwing the ball as little as possible. The pass plays they did run were designed to be low-risk, simple routes.
The strategy looked like this:
- Run the ball
- Manage the clock
- Rely on strong defense
- Keep the quarterback out of obvious passing situations
In the NFL, the average team runs the ball about 25-30 times per game. That week, the Packers ran it 53 times. The quarterback threw just 14 passes, and they still came away with a 16-10 win.
Strategy is what sets good teams apart from bad ones.
In Super Bowl 59, the Eagles had a clear personnel advantage on the defensive line—and they built their entire game plan around that strength.
So how does that tie into financial planning?
Let's say you're early in your career. You've got long-term potential, but your income isn't where you want it to be just yet. In that case, your financial strategy might look a lot like the Packers' Week 2 game plan:
- Focus on what you can control
- Limit the things that can go wrong
- Have a very defined way to succeed
And if you have a standout advantage, like a strong pension plan through your job, that's something we can build your long-term retirement strategy around, much like the Eagles did with their defensive line.
"However beautiful the strategy, you should occasionally look at the results" - Winston Churchill.
The Importance of Tactics
"Strategy without tactics is the slowest route to victory. Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat" - Sun Tzu
While strategy is crucial, tactics are just as important.
Tactics are the in-game adjustments—the real-time decisions we see play out in football every week. What's interesting is that both teams are constantly strategizing, often about the same things. The defense studies the offense just as much as the offense prepares to outmaneuver the defense.
Now, you may not be facing a defensive line trying to block your financial goals, but life has a way of throwing obstacles in your path. And when it does, I've seen time and again that those who aren't prepared tend to get hit the hardest by Murphy's Law.
Seeing Tactics in Action (Begrudgingly)
Talking tactics, I can't think of a better football analogy than the infamous "28-3" Super Bowl in 2017. As a lifelong Patriots hater, it's painful for me to reminisce about this game. Nonetheless, it perfectly illustrates the famous Mike Tyson quote, "Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face."
With 6:25 left in the 3rd quarter, the Patriots were down 28-3, an almost insurmountable deficit. But things changed. The defense got more aggressive, the offense changed into more of a quick passing game, and they moved up-tempo in an attempt to catch up. Amazingly, the Patriots completed the largest comeback in Super Bowl history and went on to win the game in overtime.
"Good tactics can save even the worst strategy. Bad tactics will destroy even the best strategy." - General George Patton
How Tactics Play Into Your Financial Life
In financial planning, the need for tactical decisions often shows up when things haven't gone as planned, like realizing you haven't saved much for retirement by your mid-to-late 40s. It could also be an unexpected life event, like losing a spouse, that forces a shift in your financial approach. Or maybe it's a practical, short-term choice, such as pausing retirement contributions for a season to cover a major home repair and avoid high-interest debt.
As your offensive coordinator, I help you navigate these moments with a clear process and a steady plan. That's why we call our early-year meetings "strategic planning meetings"—they're designed to keep your big-picture goals in focus while building in the flexibility to adjust when life calls for it.
Combining Strategy and Tactics to Help You Win the Game
We work together to build your strategy for long-term success and adjust it as needed when life changes. That's where tactics come into play. The problem is, when things get off track, many people try to fix it on their own. But that's like firing your offensive coordinator in the middle of a game. It creates confusion and often leads to costly mistakes.
We hear it all the time: "I didn't want to bother you," or "I just did X because I panicked." That's why we emphasize following the process and staying connected. Lean on your coaching staff. That's how we stay aligned and keep moving forward, together.
Want to learn more about how we approach your financial well-being with strategic, tactical, and knowledgeable guidance? Reach out to schedule a complimentary consultation today.
Rob Clark, CFP®, is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional at INT Wealth Planning, serving upper-income professionals in the Greater St. Louis area. Rob specializes in simplifying complex financial decisions and creating tailored strategies for wealth accumulation and retirement planning. INT Wealth Planning focuses on helping clients get organized, make informed financial decisions, plan for retirement, and pursue financial confidence. Rob can be reached at (636) 777-4207, via email at rob@intwealthplanning.com, or online atwww.intwealthplanning.com.
This material has been prepared in collaboration with Crystal Marketing Solutions, LLC, and has been edited with the assistance of artificial intelligence tools. The information presented is based on sources believed to be reliable and accurate at the time of publication. This material is for educational purposes only and does not necessarily reflect the views of the author, presenter, or affiliated organizations. It should not be construed as investment, tax, legal, or other professional advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your specific situation before making any decisions.
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