So, here’s something I’ve been thinking about lately and it is beginning to shape how my decisions are made. It’s simple and powerful: Before I make a decision, I look at what Congress does with regards to the same matter. Or I look at what the leadership of the company offering the product to see how they handle the situation. It’s not about blind allegiance but about strategic observation.
The Process of Follow the Leadership
Why would I do that, you ask? It is because Congress is our Royalty because they can essentially stay forever and the President cannot. You may also know that I am certainly not Royalty myself? Our Royalty, whether we like them or not, often have access to better documentation, insider strategies, up to date information, knowledge of upcoming laws, insights into regulations, and professional advisors. If they’re making a move, there’s probably a reason behind it, and we should be paying close attention.
Example 1: Filing Taxes
Before I file my taxes, I ask:
- How does Congress file and manage theirs?
- What loopholes are they using or creating to help themselves?
Now, I don’t mean that I get to peek into their actual returns. That is simply because I do not have access to them, unless you can tell me where to find them. What I am saying is that I look at the tax strategies they implement, what deductions they use, and what loopholes they quietly protect. If they’re investing in real estate or trusts, maybe I should learn why. If they’re pushing for Roth conversions, maybe I should consider the same.
Filing Taxes – Observing Congressional Tax Strategy
While individual tax returns of members of Congress aren’t publicly available, their legislative behavior and policy endorsements offer insight into their tax strategies. For instance:
Nancy Pelosi supported provisions in the Build Back Better Act that would limit the use of active business losses for pass-through entities. This move, known as the Section 461(l) expansion, would restrict how small businesses and entrepreneurs deduct losses, potentially increasing their taxable income. [s-corp.org]
This suggests that Pelosi favors tax structures that emphasize long-term investment and stability, rather than aggressive short-term loss deductions. If she’s backing legislation that tightens loopholes, it’s worth asking: What strategies are still being protected or expanded?
Pelosi has also historically supported tax credits for renewable energy, education, and childcare, indicating where she believes tax advantages should be focused. [pelosi.house.gov]
Example 2: Buying or Selling Stock
Before I make a final stock purchase or sale, I check:
- What are members of Congress doing?
Thanks to the STOCK Act, their trades are public. If Nancy Pelosi or Dan Goldman is buying up Meta or dumping oil stocks, that’s a signal that they know something that I do not. Now that is not a guarantee that they know something, but a clue that there may be details they are privy to that I am not. These multi-millionaires sit in on committees, hear things before the public does, write our laws, and often act accordingly. I’m not trying to copy them blindly — but I’m not ignoring them either.
Real World Trades from Nancy Pelosi
Nancy Pelosi’s stock trades, disclosed under the STOCK Act, are among the most closely watched in the country. Here are two notable examples that are highlighted on the web:
Tempus AI (NASDAQ: TEM): In January 2025, Pelosi purchased 50 call options on Tempus AI with a strike price of $20. At the time, the stock was trading at $34.75. By October 2025, the stock had surged to $99.28, representing a 185% gain in under nine months. [Tempus AI Up Nearly 185% Since Nancy Pelosi’s Reported Purchase In January 2025 – Tempus AI (NASDAQ:TEM) – Benzinga]
Amazon, Alphabet, and Nvidia: On the same day, Pelosi also bought call options in these tech giants. These trades were made just before major AI and cloud infrastructure announcements, suggesting she may have had insight into upcoming regulatory or market shifts. [Nancy Pelosi’s Tech Stock Trades Spark Controversy and Criticism – The Financial Analyst]
Apple Inc.: Pelosi sold 31,600 shares of Apple on December 31, 2024, a transaction valued between $5 million and $25 million. This was her largest trade that month and may have signaled a strategic pivot away from big tech. [Nancy Pelosi’s Tech Stock Trades Spark Controversy and Criticism – The Financial Analyst]
Example 3: Buying Tools or Devices
Before I buy a product, whether it’s a smartphone, software, or even a kitchen appliance, I ask:
- What does their leadership (the CEO) of that company do?
If the CEO of a manufacturing company uses their own product, that’s a good sign. It shows confidence in the product’s quality and utility. If they quietly use a competitor’s product, that’s a red flag. It suggests they know something about their own offering that the public doesn’t. If they’re endorsing something but not using it themselves, I pause and head that caution. I want to know what they trust when no one’s watching.
This principle applies across industries. If a tech executive is using a rival’s software, or a car company CEO drives a competitor’s vehicle, it raises questions. Leaders often have access to insider performance data, product roadmaps, and customer feedback long before the public does. Their personal choices can reveal what they truly believe in, not just what they’re paid to promote.
It’s not about brand loyalty; it’s about strategic observation. If someone with deep insight into a product chooses to use it personally, that’s a signal worth noting.
Real-World Example: Steve Jobs and the iPad
Steve Jobs, co-founder and former CEO of Apple, famously did not allow his children to use the iPad, even though it was one of Apple’s flagship products. In a 2010 interview with journalist Nick Bilton, Jobs was asked if his kids liked the iPad.
His response: “They haven’t used it. We limit how much technology our kids use at home.” [popsci.com]
This revelation surprised many, especially given Jobs’ role in revolutionizing consumer technology. If the creator of the iPad was cautious about its use, especially for children, what did he know that others didn’t? Jobs wasn’t alone as other tech leaders also imposed strict limits on screen time for their families. These decisions weren’t random; they were based on insider knowledge of how addictive or overstimulating these devices could be, especially for young minds.
Why This Matters:
If a tech visionary like Jobs avoids using his own product in certain contexts, it’s a signal. It doesn’t mean the product is bad, but it does mean you should ask why. What are the long-term effects? What risks are being quietly managed behind the scenes?
Example 4: Health and Wellness
Before trying a new supplement or fitness trend, ask:
- What do top athletes or health executives do?
These individuals often have access to cutting-edge science, elite trainers, and insider knowledge about what truly works versus what’s just marketing hype. If a world-class athlete swears by a recovery method, or a health tech CEO follows a specific diet, it’s worth paying attention—not to blindly copy, but to understand the reasoning behind their choices.
Their decisions are often backed by data, performance metrics, and expert consultation. That’s a level of insight most consumers don’t have. So instead of jumping on the latest Instagram wellness trend, I look at what the leaders in health are actually doing behind the scenes.
Real-World Example: Andrew Huberman and Cold Exposure
Take Dr. Andrew Huberman, a neuroscientist at Stanford and host of the Huberman Lab podcast. He’s become a trusted voice in the wellness space, especially among high performers and biohackers. One of the practices he consistently endorses is cold exposure therapy—like cold showers or ice baths.
Why does this matter?
Huberman cites peer-reviewed research showing that cold exposure can increase dopamine levels, reduce inflammation, and improve mental resilience. He personally uses it as part of his morning routine—not just for physical benefits, but for cognitive performance and stress regulation.
Top athletes like LeBron James and UFC fighters also use cold therapy for recovery and mental toughness. So, when I see someone like Huberman, who has access to the latest neuroscience and collaborates with elite performers, consistently using cold exposure, I take note. It’s not just a trend, it’s a clue.
Example 5: Education and Learning
Before choosing a course or certification, ask:
- What are industry leaders studying or endorsing?
If tech leaders are investing in AI education, maybe that’s a signal. If executives are hiring people with specific credentials, that’s a clue to what matters in today’s market.
Example 6: Real Estate
Before buying property, ask:
- Where are developers and investors putting their money?
If major players are buying in a certain city or neighborhood, they likely see long-term value. Follow the zoning changes, infrastructure plans, and investment flows.
Real World Real Estate Example – Where Are Leaders Investing or Divesting?
A powerful example comes from Senator Jeff Merkley (D-Oregon) and Representative Adam Smith (D-Washington). In late 2023, they introduced the End Hedge Fund Control of American Homes Act, a bill aimed at banning hedge funds and large institutional investors from owning single-family homes. [nextcity.org]
Why does this matter?
These lawmakers are responding to a growing trend where Wall Street firms buy up starter homes, turning them into rentals and pricing out everyday buyers. The bill would force hedge funds to divest from single-family homes over a 10-year period and impose steep tax penalties for exceeding ownership caps. The revenue from these penalties would go toward down payment assistance for first-time homebuyers.
Takeaway:
If Congressional leaders are actively working to limit institutional ownership in residential real estate, it’s a signal. They see risk, imbalance, or unfair advantage—and they’re trying to correct it. That’s a clue for individual investors to look closely at where the market is being distorted, and where opportunities for fair access and long-term value might emerge.
Example 7: Career Moves
Before switching jobs or industries, ask:
- Where are thought leaders going?
If respected professionals are moving into climate tech, cybersecurity, or biotech, that’s worth noting. Trends often start with leadership shifts.
Why “Follow the Leadership” Works
This isn’t about hero worship or the right and the left side of aisle. It’s about information asymmetry and how people in power often make decisions based on insider knowledge. By watching their moves, I get a shortcut to smarter choices that’s certainly not perfect, though it’s better than not knowing.
If Congress is pushing for Roth conversions, real estate depreciation, or green energy credits, it’s a signal that those strategies may be both legally protected and financially advantageous.
Caveats
- Leaders make mistakes too. Don’t follow blindly.
- Timing matters. What works for them might not work for you right now.
- Always do your own research but let their actions guide where you look.
Final Thought
This theory isn’t about copying; it’s about observing patterns. If Congress is investing in green energy, maybe I should learn why. If the CEO of Audi is ditching their own product, maybe I should ask what they know that I don’t.
Success leaves clues. And I’m learning to follow them. Why Your Theory Has Merit
Insider Behavior as a Signal:
Members of Congress are required to disclose their stock trade (via the STOCK Act), and some investors track these disclosures to mimic their trades.
Corporate executives often have deep insight into their company’s future. Their buying or selling of company stock can be a signal of confidence or concern.
Behavioral Economics:
People with access to better information or resources often make decisions that reflect that advantage. By observing them, you might gain indirect access to that insight.
Brand Endorsement and Usage:
If a company leader uses their own product (e.g., Tim Cook using an iPhone), it can be a sign of authenticity and belief in the product’s value.
Tax Strategy:
While you can’t see individual congressional tax filings, you can observe the kinds of tax policies they support or loopholes they use (e.g., real estate depreciation, carried interest, etc.).
Things to Watch Out For
Timing and Context: Just because someone in Congress buys a stock doesn’t mean it’s a good time for you to buy. Their risk tolerance, time horizon, and access to information may differ.
Ethical Considerations: Some trades by public officials have raised concerns about insider knowledge. Mimicking them could be seen as benefiting from questionable practices.
Confirmation Bias: Leaders may make mistakes too. Following them blindly could lead to overlooking better options.