As big believers in the power of data and evidence—whether it’s in investing, medicine, or sports—we’re thrilled to share this exceptional podcast episode featuring Jeff Luhnow, a valued client of Hill Investment Group. Jeff is a former St. Louis Cardinals leader, GM of the World Champion Houston Astros, and now a European Football (or soccer, for most Americans) Champion.

In this conversation, Jeff dives into the keys to success across business and sports, illustrating how interconnected these areas truly are. Remarkably, Jeff has applied his expertise in engineering, consulting, entrepreneurship, and team building to a sport he knew little about just a few years ago, achieving incredible success on the pitch (the field).

One of our favorite moments from the podcast is when Jeff shares: “The principles that drive success—whether in baseball, soccer, or business—are rooted in understanding the numbers, building the right team, and having the patience to see the vision through.”

Jeff’s career journey exemplifies a data-driven mindset and the power of taking the long view—principles that resonate deeply with us and guide our own work. We’re proud to support leaders like Jeff who embody these values. We think you’ll find his insights as inspiring as we do.

How 3 Simple Questions Help Us Serve You Better

At Hill Investment Group, it’s about more than just managing money—it’s about adding value to your life. That’s why we recently started asking three important questions at every client review meeting:

1. What’s the most valuable thing we do for you?
2. Is there anything we could be doing that we’re not?
3. If someone needed our help, would you be comfortable introducing us?

These questions keep us focused on what matters most: your peace of mind, trust, and the lasting impact we can make together. We’ve been inspired by your answers, which often go beyond financial goals, showing us that trust, security, and partnership are what really count.

We had our own thoughts about the typical responses to the first question. Perhaps they would reflect the core elements of our service—evidence-based investment management, financial planning, or our Longview Analysis. While those certainly do come up, we’ve been deeply moved by how our clients describe the value we bring in their own words. From “I love not having to make decisions in this part of my life” to “I just don’t worry about money anymore,” the feedback has gone beyond the tangible aspects of our work. It’s given us a fresh perspective on what matters most to our clients.

The second question, “Is there anything we could be doing that we’re not?” has opened doors to opportunities for improvement. This question pushes us to listen more closely and serve more effectively. The responses have challenged us to think about the evolving needs of our clients and how we can better support them in ways we hadn’t considered.

Lastly, asking whether clients feel comfortable introducing us to others has been incredibly valuable. It’s a reminder that the trust we build doesn’t end with the clients we serve—it extends to their networks, too. When someone says, “Yes, I’d happily introduce you,” it’s a testament to the strength of our relationship and the impact we’ve had. It’s a reflection of the confidence our clients feel in us, and that’s something we deeply appreciate and never take for granted.

These three questions have become an essential part of our process, helping us stay connected to what’s most important: understanding our clients’ needs, adapting our services, and earning the trust that leads to long-term partnerships.

As we continue to ask you these questions in the months ahead, we’re excited to see where the answers take us now and in the long view.