Whether in the military or business, the strongest teams are built on continuous learning, open communication, and a shared sense of purpose. In this action-packed episode, Damon sits down with Clarence Dingman, President of Defense Markets at PingWind, to uncover the leadership principles that drive high-performing organizations.

Drawing from his Special Forces career and experience leading a dual-culture company through rapid growth and a major merger, Clarence provides a playbook for leaders at every level—whether you’re stepping up to a big new role or uniting teams after an acquisition. His stories highlight the power of active listening, building trust, and leaning into discomfort as a growth opportunity. If you want tactical strategies on culture, onboarding, and empowering your teams—even in tough times—this episode delivers. From military lessons to boardroom breakthroughs, get ready to learn what the best leaders keep doing—even after they reach the top.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

The importance of anchoring company culture around lifelong learning (and how Clarence uses Michelangelo’s “And yet, I am still learning” to drive growth)

How to transition from being a doer to a resource-driven leader—and why empowerment beats micromanagement

Clarence’s firsthand playbook for merging two companies and uniting different cultures after a major acquisition

Why empathy and active listening are crucial for problem-solving and retention at scale

What to do when top performers clash with company values—and the hidden costs of tolerating toxic talent

Actionable tips on onboarding, employee engagement, and making feedback a two-way street—even as your team grows into the hundreds