Trust and Clear Communication in the Financial World

Conversations about money often come with pressure. People worry about getting it wrong, asking the wrong question, or not fully understanding what’s being explained. In those moments, clarity and trust matter just as much as expertise. In this episode of the Body Talk podcast, Alina is joined by Chenji Meng, Wealth Manager at Hymans Robertson Wealth Management, to explore the role of trust and clear communication in the financial world.

Chenji describes his work as financial therapy, focusing not just on numbers, but on the emotions, behaviours and beliefs that shape financial decisions. We talk about what great communication looks like in high-stakes conversations, how leaders can make complex financial ideas easier to understand, and why empathy and listening are just as important as technical expertise.

This conversation is for anyone curious about how trust is built through communication, particularly in professional and financial settings. It offers a thoughtful look at how clarity, empathy, and presence shape decision-making, and why the human side of communication matters.

Here are some of the takeaways from our conversation:

First, trust is built through relationships, not just expertise. Chenji explains that clients are trusting him with their stories, culture and life decisions, so the work starts with understanding the person before the product.

Second, personal finance is emotional, even for financial experts. He gives the example of finance professionals being highly logical at work but still making emotional decisions with their own money, which is why his role is often about supporting decision-making rather than supplying answers.

Third, clarity comes from simplifying purpose before simplifying information. Rather than leading with jargon or complex investments, he starts with “what are you trying to achieve?” and only then maps out the simplest route, options and trade-offs.

Fourth, listening is the skill that unlocks everything. He talks about listening for emotional language and interests, asking better questions as the conversation deepens, and using small talk effectively to build rapport and find common ground.

You can also listen to the episode on Apple or Spotify