The Things I Know
The older I get, the more I realize that knowing what I don’t know is just as important as knowing what I do. Life has a way of humbling you, of teaching through experience—through victories, failures, and the lessons that stay with you.
Over the years, I’ve come to know a few things deeply. Some through competition, some through leadership, and some through faith. These aren’t theories or abstract ideas; they’re battle-tested truths that have shaped who I am and how I lead.
But just as important as knowing what I know is knowing what I don’t. That awareness has been one of my greatest advantages.
Of all the lessons I’ve learned, none are more meaningful than God’s promise in my favorite Bible verse:
James 1:2-8 (NIV)
2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,
3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.
4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.
6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.
7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.
8 Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.
This passage has guided me through challenges, reminding me that perseverance, faith, and wisdom are the foundations of growth.
I Know Baseball
Baseball is more than a game, it’s a mental battle, a test of discipline, patience, and resilience. Even the best hitters in the world fail seven out of ten times. It’s a game where the defense holds the ball, the bat and ball are both round, and somehow, you must hit it square to have a shot at success. And even then, sometimes it doesn’t work out.
As a Collegiate and American Legion coach, I had a few core beliefs:
Love your players and make sure they know it.
Teach them fundamentals. Because fundamentals are hard to master and short cuts are never good. Practice doesn’t make perfect, perfect practice makes perfect.
Instill a never-quit mindset. If you battle to the end, you never truly lose.
Success in baseball, as in life and business, isn’t just about talent. It’s about showing up, putting in the reps, and trusting the process. The ones who succeed aren’t always the most gifted—they’re the ones who grind when no one is watching, embrace the struggle, and step back into the batter’s box after every strikeout.
I Know Recruiting
Hiring isn’t just about filling a seat—it’s about connecting with people, understanding their motivations, and finding the right fit for the team. A great recruiter doesn’t just read résumés; they ask thoughtful questions, tell meaningful stories, and connect with people—just as Jesus did.
I often say that Tony Bennett, former UVA head basketball coach, knew every five-star point guard in America. But talent wasn’t his top criterion—heart was. He looked for players with the right mindset, the right attitude, and the right fit for his culture.
I’ve seen—and admittedly, made—the mistake of hiring based on experience alone, only to watch those hires fail because they didn’t fit the culture. Skills can be taught; character and drive cannot.
One hire stands out to me. On paper, the candidate had everything—years of experience, technical expertise, impressive credentials. But there was something missing. His attitude. His approach to teamwork. It didn’t align with what we needed. We went with someone else—someone hungrier, more adaptable, and eager to learn. It turned out to be one of the best hiring decisions we ever made.
· One bad hire can take a team down.
· One great hire can change the game.
I Know How to Lead an HR Function
HR isn’t about policies and paperwork—it’s about people. I’ve led HR functions that have turned around struggling plants, reduced turnover, and built leadership pipelines from scratch. I’ve seen firsthand that HR can be the most strategic function in a company—if done right.
Great HR isn’t reactive; it’s proactive. It’s about:
Setting the right tone for leadership and culture.
Coaching managers so they don’t just supervise—they lead.
Creating an environment where people want to stay, grow, and thrive.
Speaking the language of business. HR leaders who understand the bottom line earn a seat at the executive table.
Investing in people isn’t just the right thing to do, it’s the smartest business move a company can make.
I Know How to Love Your Neighbor as Yourself
Of all the things I know, this is the most important and the hardest to do.
It’s easy to get caught up in building businesses, winning games, and climbing ladders. But at the end of the day, what truly matters is how we treat people.
Loving your neighbor isn’t just about kindness, it’s about respect, integrity, and standing for what’s right.
It’s about listening when it’s easier to talk.
It’s about forgiving when it’s easier to hold a grudge.
It’s about helping when there’s nothing in it for you.
Whether in the dugout, the boardroom, or everyday life, people always remember how you made them feel—for better or worse. They remember the leaders who believed in them when they didn’t believe in themselves.
If we all led with that principle, whether in leadership, recruiting, or life—our teams, our workplaces, and our communities would be a whole lot better.
The Bottom Line
These are the things I know because I’ve lived them.
Much like the Farmers Insurance commercial, I know a lot because I’ve seen a lot.
Baseball taught me perseverance.
Recruiting taught me to never judge a book by its cover.
HR taught me the power of relationships.
Most importantly, faith taught me that I control nothing—and that loving people well is the greatest thing you can do.
Everything else? I’m still learning. But these things? I’d bet my life on them.