Welcome to SmartsMatter

“What I lack in smarts, I make up for in work…and given how hard I have to work, I must not be that smart!”–Greg hague

U.S. HISTORY & GOVERNMENT

I can’t remember a time when so many well meaning people were in such passionate disagreement about so many things:   • Facemasks for all?• Shelter in

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Trust In Uncertainty

Sonal is one of my firm’s vice presidents. While I “trust” all of my employees, Sonal is exceptional. With Sonal, nothing slips between the cracks. If she says

Read More »

My Best Chubby Rules

We all know that education can contribute to success. However, successful people learn that it often takes more. Success is propelled by an array of

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Death of the Salesman

In the 1949 Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winning play by Arthur Miller, Death of a Salesman, the central character, Willy Loman, struggles to adjust to changes

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Draw A Wider Circle

Writing my book, How Fathers Change Lives, I interviewed a young lady named Lori Holden for one of the stories. It’s called, Draw a Wider Circle,

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The American Experiment

It has been widely publicized and critically characterized as “The Sweden Experiment.” From the beginning, Sweden took a different approach to COVID-19.  It is summarized in this

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THE MAN I ASPIRE TO BE

He doesn’t have a CRM, mess with LinkedIn, Facebook, or Twitter. He won’t communicate by text or email. Every day he puts on his jeans, pulls on

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Are We On The Verge Of Martial Law

This is not about whether we should voluntarily wear face masks, it’s about whether the government has the right to: mandate that businesses closeprohibit live church services force us to

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Risk-Life Balance

This is meant to encourage thought, not controversy. I expect it will do both. 30% UNEMPLOYMENT… THIS QUARTER? Published in Bloomberg March 19:  “Federal Reserve Bank

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Pivot

COVID-19 has forced a lot of businesses to pivot.  While it’s not fun and can be stressful, pivoting can result in short and long term benefits

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Problem Solvers

We have all endured difficult times.  Loss of a loved one. Loss of a limb. Loss of net worth. Loss of direction. Loss of confidence.

Read More »

Two Hatted Dad

Has a brief moment in time ever changed the trajectory of your life?  It happened to Tom Leonard of Richmond, Virginia.  After Tom told me this story, we decided

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Finding A Ralph

One of my favorite quotes is by Imran Khan: “Compromise for your dream but NEVER compromise on your dream.”  I am inspired by people who

Read More »

Time. Options. Information.

Negotiation skill can make a multi-thousand dollar difference in crafting better deals. Whether you’re buying or selling cars, homes, anything expensive, knowing what to say

Read More »

U.S. HISTORY & GOVERNMENT

I can’t remember a time when so many well meaning people were in such passionate disagreement about so many things:   • Facemasks for all?• Shelter in

Read More »

Trust In Uncertainty

Sonal is one of my firm’s vice presidents. While I “trust” all of my employees, Sonal is exceptional. With Sonal, nothing slips between the cracks. If she says

Read More »

My Best Chubby Rules

We all know that education can contribute to success. However, successful people learn that it often takes more. Success is propelled by an array of

Read More »

Death of the Salesman

In the 1949 Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winning play by Arthur Miller, Death of a Salesman, the central character, Willy Loman, struggles to adjust to changes

Read More »

Draw A Wider Circle

Writing my book, How Fathers Change Lives, I interviewed a young lady named Lori Holden for one of the stories. It’s called, Draw a Wider Circle,

Read More »

The American Experiment

It has been widely publicized and critically characterized as “The Sweden Experiment.” From the beginning, Sweden took a different approach to COVID-19.  It is summarized in this

Read More »

THE MAN I ASPIRE TO BE

He doesn’t have a CRM, mess with LinkedIn, Facebook, or Twitter. He won’t communicate by text or email. Every day he puts on his jeans, pulls on

Read More »

Are We On The Verge Of Martial Law

This is not about whether we should voluntarily wear face masks, it’s about whether the government has the right to: mandate that businesses closeprohibit live church services force us to

Read More »

Risk-Life Balance

This is meant to encourage thought, not controversy. I expect it will do both. 30% UNEMPLOYMENT… THIS QUARTER? Published in Bloomberg March 19:  “Federal Reserve Bank

Read More »

Pivot

COVID-19 has forced a lot of businesses to pivot.  While it’s not fun and can be stressful, pivoting can result in short and long term benefits

Read More »

Problem Solvers

We have all endured difficult times.  Loss of a loved one. Loss of a limb. Loss of net worth. Loss of direction. Loss of confidence.

Read More »

Two Hatted Dad

Has a brief moment in time ever changed the trajectory of your life?  It happened to Tom Leonard of Richmond, Virginia.  After Tom told me this story, we decided

Read More »

Finding A Ralph

One of my favorite quotes is by Imran Khan: “Compromise for your dream but NEVER compromise on your dream.”  I am inspired by people who

Read More »

Time. Options. Information.

Negotiation skill can make a multi-thousand dollar difference in crafting better deals. Whether you’re buying or selling cars, homes, anything expensive, knowing what to say

Read More »