Financial Planning Today columnist Carly Dunningham, an experienced Financial Planner and chair of the CISI's Financial Planning Forum, looks at how to combat professional loneliness as you rise the corporate ladder. You can read more from Carly and other industry experts in Financial Planning Today magazine.
One of the things I value most about our profession of Financial Planning is the sense of community.
From the outside, Financial Planning can appear a highly individualistic profession, yet behind every successful planner sits a network of colleagues, peers and supporters. And that's important, because there are times when this profession can feel surprisingly lonely.
Many planners operate as one-person businesses, which can naturally feel isolating. But I've also come to realise that loneliness isn't confined to those working alone.
Sometimes it can emerge as your career progresses.
I experienced this myself when I moved into a more senior leadership role. Suddenly I found myself being the person others turned to for support and direction.
And when a close colleague, mentor and confidant retired, it made me realise how much I had relied on that relationship and it forced me to rethink my own support network.
Social media and conference stages often showcase success. What they don't always reveal are the challenges, doubts and difficult days.
Over the years, I've come to realise that many of the pressures we experience are shared. This is why professional networks matter so much. There is enormous value in connecting with people who understand the realities of your job.
So, if you're currently feeling stretched, isolated or questioning yourself, remember this: you're almost certainly not the only one.
Carly Dunningham is a Chartered and Certified Financial Planner. She is the Chair of the CISI Financial Planning Forum and a voice for the profession.
- This column first appeared in Financial Planning Today magazine, May-June 2026 edition. Carly's column appears in each issue of the magazine. You can subscribe to the magazine by registering for this website and then checking package options.