At Town Close, we’re not just focused on building wealth - we’re committed to building people. Clients, colleagues, partners all benefit when we learn how to spot and unlock hidden potential, especially when it’s hiding in plain sight. Inspired by Adam Grant’s “Hidden Potential”, here’s how we’re putting that thinking to work.
1. Embrace Discomfort to Grow Capability
At TCFP, we often guide clients through change: pension consolidation, switching investment strategies or even reassessing lifelong goals. It’s not always comfortable but that discomfort is a feature, not a flaw. As Grant notes, growth is awkward. But the most successful people are often those who’ve learned to lean into that awkwardness.
We encourage our team to do the same. Whether that’s getting comfortable saying “I don’t know yet” or taking the first swing at a difficult client conversation, our internal culture rewards trying, not perfection. It’s how we grow faster - and smarter.
2. Advice > Feedback: Build a Learning Loop
Clients don’t need criticism; they need clarity. Rather than obsessing over what could have been done differently, we focus on what could be done better next time. This is a subtle shift, but a powerful one. Internally, we’ve begun replacing the question “Any feedback?” with “What’s one thing I could do better next time?”
This simple change invites candour without conflict. It works for team development and it works when guiding clients too - making every conversation a chance to level up.
3. Make Finance a Game (and Take a Break)
Money is serious - but managing it doesn’t have to feel heavy. One of our missions is to make financial planning more like play: engaging, rewarding, even a little fun. For younger clients, especially, we’re exploring how to turn progress into visible achievements. Think milestone markers, progress dashboards and clearer short-term wins.
For our team, we also value breaks, not as distractions, but as essential reset buttons. Like elite performers, we know that stepping away is part of the process - not the opposite of it.
4. Collective Intelligence > Individual Brilliance
The best financial advice doesn’t come from the cleverest person in the room - it comes from the room that listens best. That’s why our team model is built around shared insight, not solo acts.
Grant introduces the concept of “brainwriting” - individuals generate ideas solo, then share anonymously for group refinement. We’ve applied this to internal planning and strategy sessions, helping ensure that all voices are heard - not just the loudest ones. The result? Smarter decisions that reflect broader perspectives.
5. Make Progress Look Different
Sometimes progress isn’t pushing forward - it’s stepping back, rerouting or even admitting “I don’t know yet.” We see this in life planning all the time. A career shift, a change in values, or the decision to stop chasing more and focus on enough.
At Town Close we treat these moments not as setbacks, but as pivots. They're often when hidden potential reveals itself most clearly.
In financial planning - as in life - the highest returns come not just from where we invest money, but from how we invest in people. At TCFP, we’re proud to be helping our team and our clients grow into the potential they didn’t always see in themselves.