Nathan Smith's leadership philosophy for managing the elite golfers on the U.S. Walker Cup team was to avoid micromanagement, stating "you just can't muzzle a racehorse" and encouraging them to "go be great."

Nathan Smith's primary piece of advice for leaders is to listen to and engage with their people, make them feel important, and put them in situations where they can succeed.

Nathan Smith believes his failure to make the cut at the Masters after a double bogey on the 18th hole ultimately drove him to achieve greater success, such as winning four mid-amateur championships.