The 10 books financial advisors loved in 2025

December 31, 2025 12:51 PM

Encountering a great idea can change the way financial advisors work, think and grow. Often, these ideas come from books, so we asked advisors to share the titles that motivated or inspired them in their practices this year, whether a longtime classic or a recent release.

The resulting list spans a wide range of topics, but a clear theme runs throughout: becoming better advisors by better understanding clients. Across the recommendations, advisors gravitated toward books that helped them deepen trust, clarify client values and move past the basics toward more purpose-driven planning.

Several titles pushed advisors to think more deliberately about growth. That includes business growth, from improving client acquisition to finding new ways to put clients first, as well as personal growth. Advisors pointed to books that challenged them to build greater resilience, sharpen focus and improve their own personal habits. After all, incremental changes can compound to great effect, a core idea behind James Clear's "Atomic Habits" — a regular on FP's annual roundup.

Below are the 10 books advisors say shaped how they serve clients, run their firms and think about their work in 2025.

‘Supercommunicators: How to Unlock the Secret Language of Connection’ by Charles Duhigg

Matthew Hofacre, founder of

Pay It Forward Financial Planning

in Columbus, Ohio:

"As much as financial planning is a technical profession, it also requires excellent people skills. Building a successful business requires clients to have the utmost trust in their financial planner. 'Supercommunicators' provided the framework for me to rethink how I interact with clients and prospects. I began thinking about ideal outcomes of conversations before I even had them. I also learned how to better read nonverbal body language. In short, it gave me the tools to build a deeper connection with others."

'Atomic Habits: An Easy and Proven Way to Build Good Habits and Break Bad Ones' by James Clear

Brandon Clouse, senior financial planner at

Prism Planning Partners

in Libertyville, Illinois:

"One simple principle stuck with me: 1% better every day. The idea is that 1% improvement every day will lead to compounded, remarkable results. On a daily scale, the 1% better principle has helped me make positive decisions I might not have otherwise. Schedule that doctor's appointment. Go to the gym. Work through one more email. Reach out to one more prospect. Take an extra minute to play with the kids. I miss some days, but the little wins add up and make a difference."

‘The Price of Privilege: How Parental Pressure and Material Advantage Are Creating a Generation of Disconnected and Unhappy Kids' by Madeline Levine

Joy Slabaugh, founder of the

Wealth Alignment Institute

in Longmeadow, Massachusetts:

"Levine describes the ways wealthy people tend to parent that inadvertently create emotional disconnection. This has helped me more deeply understand working with my ultrahigh net worth clients. It's sharpened my approach to helping clients align wealth with well-being and address the hidden emotional burdens that often accompany financial privilege. I recommend this book to advisors seeking a deeper understanding of the psychological dynamics shaping the decisions of their wealthy clients."

‘Unreasonable Hospitality: The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect’ by Will Guidara

Jon Wingent, principal at

Cerity Partners

in Los Angeles:

"The book reframed how I think about delivering exceptional service in financial planning. Guidara's message that small, thoughtful gestures can transform a client's experience resonated deeply. In a profession often focused on technical expertise, it reminded me that genuine connection and personalization are just as important. I've since become more intentional about creating "unexpected delights" for clients, whether in how we communicate, anticipate needs or celebrate milestones. I recommend it to any advisor looking to elevate their practice through service that feels both human and unforgettable."

‘Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End’ by Atul Gawande

Samantha Mockford, associate wealth advisor at

Citrine Capital

in San Francisco:

"Dr. Gawande provides a set of questions to ask a loved one about the end of their life to help people best care for them. I've used these questions with my parents when we discuss estate documents, powers of attorney, when will it be time to move, etc., and I've created a tool that can help clients have the same helpful conversations with their aging parents."

‘Stolen Focus: Why You Can’t Pay Attention — and How to Think Deeply Again’ by Johann Hari

Neil Krishnaswamy, president at

Krishna Wealth Planning

in McKinney, Texas:

"This thoughtful book covers many angles on why our ability to focus and pay attention has been on the decline. Hari discusses issues we need to address and fix as a society, possibly through political activism, particularly as they affect younger children. The book inspired me to think more deeply about what I could do to improve my own focus. The impact on my life and practice was finding better ways to limit technology use and put a better structure around my time. I believe that indirectly, practices to improve focus can help us make better financial decisions, too!"

‘Fans First: Change the Game, Break the Rules and Create an Unforgettable Experience’ by Jesse Cole

Gregory A. Furer, CEO at

Beratung Advisors

in Pittsburgh:

"If you've heard of or experienced the Savannah Bananas, you know they've created something magical. They're not an overnight success story — it's the result of a crazy vision to focus entirely on the fans and what brings them the most value. In this book, the founder Jesse teaches you their 'Fans First' way. Every financial planner — whether you own your own business or not — can benefit from learning how to be client first!"

‘The Obstacle Is the Way: The Timeless Art of Turning Trials Into Triumph’ by Ryan Holiday

Mark Stancato, founder and lead advisor at

VIP Wealth Advisors

in Decatur, Georgia:

"As an advisor and a founder, you're constantly switching hats: operator, strategist, planner and human, and the weight of those roles can feel like a moving target. This book gave me a framework for staying centered as the demands of running a firm collide with the emotional weight of guiding clients through their own financial stress. Holiday's stoic lens helped me see the everyday friction of entrepreneurship from market volatility, regulatory shifts and operational hurdles not as annoyances to endure but as raw material that sharpens judgment and builds resilience. It reminded me that clarity under pressure is one of the most valuable skills an advisor can cultivate, both for themselves and the clients who rely on them. When you're building a modern advisory firm and navigating the uncertainties of real families' financial lives, this mindset isn't just helpful, it's foundational."

‘$100M Leads: How to Get Strangers to Want to Buy Your Stuff’ by Alex Hormozi

Josh Brooks, founder at

Exponential Advisors

in Weatherford, Texas:

"While many industry books focus on technical planning, this book tackles the biggest hurdle for growing firms: client acquisition. It shows you proven, practical ways to build your business by stripping away the fluff of marketing and focusing on actionable frameworks. Hormozi breaks down how to get strangers interested in what you have to offer through 'Grand Slam Offers' and systematic lead generation. It provided the clarity and motivation I needed to refine our outreach and focus on delivering undeniable value upfront. Highly recommended!"

‘The Geometry of Wealth: How to Shape a Life of Money and Meaning’ by Brian Portnoy

Jordan Whitledge, lead advisor at

Donaldson Capital Management

in Evansville, Indiana:

"It teaches a truth most investors never hear: Wealth isn't about being rich, it's about funded contentment. That single idea changed the way I work. Our conversations stopped being math exercises and became real discussions about purpose, priorities, and the life my clients want to build. When you start there, portfolios make more sense and decisions get easier. The framework helps my clients stay calm, stay focused, and stay aligned with what truly matters."