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1 Sep 2017
Catch up with James Goodman
As part of our 30 year celebrations, we’re catching up with some of our team members and sharing their story with you.
Here, we chat with Senior Adviser James Goodman about how his role has evolved over the years and what Goodman Private Wealth means to him.
How did you come into the company, and how has your role evolved over the years?
I started 18 years ago in what was then the family business, after answering an opportunity from my father John. Prior to that, I worked for a large company in London having gained my accounting badge while working at one the big firms in Brisbane.
In hindsight, my role progression from Trainee Adviser to Senior Adviser and business owner seems rapid. We were a small team back then, so I very quickly learnt a lot about the job and its responsibility. I did feel some weight at that young age holding the financial future of real people in my hands! Fortunately, there was plenty of team support backed-up with John's guidance.
My role here has always been client facing. In many ways, the best part of the job is the conversations I have with people about what's important to them.
Behind the scenes, my role has progressed away from hands-on technical strategy work. Now, it's more about making sure the team is collaborating smoothly on each client assignment, and giving that final stamp of approval.
What would you say are your greatest strengths and weaknesses?
That's not any easy question. Perhaps my strength is a genuine interest in people, coupled with the ability to ask good questions.
Weakness? In my role, almost certainly it's not spending enough time getting the message out about what we do to help people. If you ask my colleagues they will no doubt list a few more!
What do you do when you're not at work?
Our team generally keeps good work hours, myself included. That leaves a healthy amount of time for Sarah and our three primary school aged kids.
As Sarah reminds me, I also do a few too many other activities – at the local Cricket Club to do my bit for our local community, and at Rotary to do my bit for the world. I also spend time with my sisters, both of whom have disabilities.
In the philanthropy community, I learn how to give well and also help others in that endeavour. There's a practical application here because I manage my family's philanthropic vehicle, the Goodman Foundation.
One day per year I'm a triathlete. The other 364 I'm thinking I should do more exercise!
How do you see your role developing in the future?
I still have a lot to learn, even after 18 years. For example, I've been listening back to my client meeting recordings for years now and it's still a very painful experience. I'm always reflecting on how much better I could communicate the ideas or run the meetings!
My aim is to be able to lead my clients, our team and even Brad and myself to be fulfilled; each in our own ways. If that happens, then the business will achieve the very clear vision we've set down. I'm working on that now, and I'm unlikely to be satisfied until we all get there.
For that dream to be realised, I know I'll have to improve further - leadership, project management, and commitment. That includes making sure we have the best team of personal finance subject matter experts.
Having said all of that, I think I'm enjoying my work and my role here more than ever. There is lots to do, but the future is really bright!
Can you describe what Goodmans means for you in 25 words or less?
My family, my team, our clients. There's no clear point where each group finishes and the other begins – to me they're one.