At a glance
- Formal career paths began to recover after last year's survey warned that people management was sliding toward mediocrity.
- RIAs are improving at managing people, not at developing them.
- For practice leaders, reviews and compensation belong in one retention system for developing future leaders.
RIA incentive plans and performance reviews reached record highs in 2026, DeVoe & Company reported.
Formal career paths began to recover after last year's survey warned that people management was sliding toward mediocrity.
The report, Mind the (Development) Gap, says the systems firms built now run ahead of the people they are meant to develop. RIAs are improving at managing people, not at developing them.
For practice leaders, reviews and compensation belong in one retention system for developing future leaders. DeVoe's prescription is to connect career paths, training, reviews, compensation and succession planning into that system.
Reported by the Practice management desk from DeVoe & Company. Published . Corrections