Brad Smart

Brad Smart completed his doctorate in Industrial Psychology at Purdue University and has been in private practice since the 1970s, serving as President of Smart & Associates, Inc., based in the Chicago area. Recognized as a leading expert on hiring, he has conducted in-depth interviews with over 6,500 executives. Smart is the author of several influential books, including "Topgrading: How Leading Companies Win by Hiring, Coaching, and Keeping the Best People," which maintained its status as an Amazon.com #1 bestseller in the hiring category for over five years. His other notable works include "The Smart Interviewer: Tools and Techniques for Hiring the Best," "Topgrading for Sales: World-Class Methods to Interview, Hire, and Coach Top Sales Representatives," and "Smart Parenting: How to Raise Happy, Can-Do Kids," co-authored with Dr. Kate Smart Mursau.

Smart's company, Smart & Associates, enhances corporate performance by implementing Topgrading methods. These methods assess and coach teams, conduct Topgrading® workshops, and provide resources such as books, handbooks, and videos to assist clients in improving their hiring processes. His pioneering Topgrading® approach has significantly boosted hiring success rates for renowned organizations, including GE, American Heart Association, and Honeywell, elevating their hiring success rates from 25% to 90%.

Smart's methods and success stories have garnered widespread media attention, featuring on the cover of The Wall Street Journal, numerous articles in Fortune, and appearances on CNN. His speaking engagements cover a range of topics, such as Human Resources, Leadership, Motivation, Peak Performance, and Sales, all enriched with vivid, actual case studies that underscore the effectiveness of his strategies. His work continues to influence and reshape hiring practices across various industries.