'Pinball' Clemons: ‘You’re doing phenomenal work, but we still need more’

Clemons encouraged the advisors to add more diversity, especially women, to their profession as it increases their chance of success. He also chuckled about his own success – which he noted was based on being “more of a coward” since he ran more yards than any player in professional football history. But, he noted that he valued being a husband and dad even more than his career accomplishments, which have also been noted in the Hall of Fame.

“Everyone in this room already has a level of success,” he said. “But, I’m going to just ask you to press a little further. You need to find a way because you’ve got the power to make things better.”

He told the Biblical Good Samaritan story, emphasizing the theme of putting others before themselves, which he noted that financial advisors do by first caring for their clients. He also shared poems and other stories about the importance of building bridges, not fences, between people.

While Clemons recognized the amount of regulatory paperwork advisors do, he encouraged the regulators and advisors to work together: “The more we can work together to the benefit of every Canadian, the better chance we are spreading our wings and being able to accomplish more.”

Read More: Why focusing on diversity is not just the right thing to do, it’s good business | Wealth Professional