Clear Is Kind - Leading With Transparency: David Dardano

Episode Description

In this episode of Leadership Matters from The Bailey Group, host Kaylee Thomsen sits down with David Dardano, Human Resources Director at Episcopal Homes of Minnesota, to explore the leadership mindset behind trust, clarity, and lasting culture. David shares how leading “with people” (not just managing them) shapes stronger teams and reflects on a formative lesson from early in his career: you are the “dinner table conversation” your people take home each day. He discusses why “clear is kind,” how tough feedback can be delivered with transparency, and what he learned from early missteps – including the importance of history, context, and repairing conversations when impact doesn’t match intention. The conversation also highlights imposter syndrome, balancing leadership with family life, and why follow-through and honest communication are foundational to building a culture people believe in.