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261: 99% of Hiring Managers Miss This One Critical Interview Step | Scott Arias

Release Date:Β 

December 23, 2025

Release Date: Dec 23

Integrity over shortcuts. Humility over ego. Courage when it counts. On this dynamic episode of the Learn-It-Allβ„’ podcast, host Damon Lembi welcomes Scott Ariasβ€”Navy veteran, founder, and CEO of ACE Groupβ€”for a masterclass in values-driven leadership. Scott Arias shares the compelling story of how he built a fast-growing construction company by doing things differently: leading with faith, grit, and an unwavering sense of right and wrong in an often ethically-challenged industry. From recovering after life-altering setbacks to creating a company culture where people tell him the truth and run through walls for each other, this conversation goes deep on what it takes to inspire loyalty, courage, and performanceβ€”especially when the chips are down. From practical hiring hacks to transformative lessons on responsibility, psychological safety, and giving back, consider this your field guide to building a team people actually want to belong to.

What You’ll Learn:

  • How Scott Arias uses β€œdo the right thing” as a guiding principle at every level of his organization
  • The power of vulnerability and humility for leaders who want honest feedback and a loyal team
  • What it really means to hire for valuesβ€”and the surprising interview questions that reveal character
  • How to build a high-trust culture with challenge coins, open financials, and β€œtribe” mentality
  • Strategies for reversing victim mentalities, breaking down generational barriers, and fostering belonging
  • Why fear and anxiety are best met with courageβ€”and how Scott Arias leaned on faith and practical tools in both business and personal adversity

In This Episode:

  • 00:00 – The front-page test: Scott Arias’s litmus for integrity
  • 00:43 – Damon introduces Scott Arias and lays out the themes
  • 02:09 – Recovering from a lost leg and addiction: faith, grit, and new perspective
  • 06:39 – Why construction is an β€œunethical industry” (and how ACE is changing that)
  • 09:30 – Vision, mission, and three core valuesβ€”why they echo at every meeting
  • 11:23 – Real-world stories of doing the right thing (even if it costs you)
  • 15:00 – How humility and responsibility broke a cycle of mistrust
  • 17:42 – Learning from bad bosses: why command-and-control fails
  • 20:53 – Loyalty, generosity, and giving 10% back to the community
  • 24:58 – Investing in staff who leaveβ€”and why the ROI lasts
  • 28:43 – Dealing with loss and focus on gratitude (even when it hurts)
  • 31:07 – Reframing fear and anxiety: practical steps to courage
  • 34:09 – Pivotal moments: double down during the pandemic
  • 38:30 – Scott Arias’s radical approach to interviews and hiring
  • 44:31 – How ACE creates generational synergy and fairness
  • 48:48 – Talent shows, Jeep jumps, and why fun unites the tribe
  • 53:02 – The challenge (and necessity) of letting people go
  • 55:04 – Building legacy through succession, bumps-and-guardrails, and leadership
  • 58:36 – Scott Arias’s final advice for leaders: put people first

About Scott Arias

Scott Arias is a Navy veteran, entrepreneur, and founder/CEO of ACE Groupβ€”one of the country’s most respected construction services organizations. After a military career cut short by injury, Scott Arias redirected his grit into building a company known for integrity, excellence, and putting faith into action. A former university instructor and champion for ethical leadership, Scott Arias is dedicated to β€œbuilding the Kingdom” through business: giving 10% of profit to help his community, investing relentlessly in his people, and fostering a culture of honesty, loyalty, and courage.

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