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

Integrity over shortcuts. Humility over ego. Courage when it counts. On this dynamic episode of the Learn-It-All™ podcast, host Damon Lembi welcomes Scott Arias—Navy veteran, founder, and CEO of ACE Group—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 performance—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.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How Scott Arias uses “do 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 values—and the surprising interview questions that reveal character
• How to build a high-trust culture with challenge coins, open financials, and “tribe” mentality
• Strategies for reversing victim mentalities, breaking down generational barriers, and fostering belonging
• Why fear and anxiety are best met with courage—and how Scott Arias
• leaned on faith and practical tools in both business and personal adversity

Timestamps:

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 “unethical industry” (and how ACE is changing that)

09:30 – Vision, mission, and three core values—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 leave—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 Group—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 “building the Kingdom” through business: giving 10% of profit to help his community,...