Don’s Thoughts

The answer is yes, which is why I make sure we prioritize culture above everything else. Culture is central to building a truly enduring, great organization—an Extraordinary Organization. 

WIth that said, I actually believe that if we continue to build a strong culture, centered around our people and investing in the development of leaders, it should get easier, not harder, to preserve the culture. When you have a large team of people fully bought in on your purpose, living your culture, exemplifying your values, that are empowered and equipped, they will not allow the culture to be diluted. They will not allow the wrong people to come into the organization—or if they do come in, they will be weeded out quickly. 

My #1 role as CEO—and yours, if you’re in that seat—is to set the culture and then to reinforce and reiterate the vision of the organization again and again. I’m talking about more than mentioning core values from time to time or throwing up a slide with our purpose. It is about connecting people to the vision, showing them the why, the passion behind what you’re doing together, and how they matter to its success. 

How do you connect people to your vision? You cultivate relationships. 

When I speak on leadership, I often share this quote: 
“People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.“ 

That’s why to be a leader at DLP, you must be committed to our guiding principle: we are for you. We pour into our community of team members regularly, nurturing those who drive our culture and success. 

One of the most well-known ways we do this is through annual “DLP Days,” where we’ve done everything from give employees dedicated time to map their future—and the path to get there—with their personal compass to a surprise day off to pursue their passions. We also commit to leadership progression and development programs, guided by the mantra “Leaders Made Here.” Recently we kicked off our 2026 Leadership Training Series, a bi-weekly meeting where, for an hour and a half, all of our top impact players—the most important people in our company—are in one space doing nothing but learning. I estimate it costs the company roughly $10,000 per hour to take our leaders out of “production” to focus on their own development, but it pays back dividends. You can’t afford to miss developing leaders: this is where impact multiplies.  

A lot of people are surprised to find that I myself, along with many other senior leaders, are actually at the helm of these development sessions. The same when they find out that I lead our quarterly Town Halls and weekly company huddles. But these are the moments that build connection, that nurture culture, that drive success. 

People are your greatest asset: treat them that way and your success story will write itself. 

Building the Culture of an Extraordinary Organization

Culture starts from the top. I spend a tremendous amount of time both selecting and investing in the leaders that we bring into the organization. For the past decade, I estimate that every week I’ve interviewed 6-8 potential leaders and had 6-8 alignment meetings with leaders within the organization. 

Over the last few months, our extraordinary recruiting team, led by Alice Viego, has been instrumental in sourcing the best candidates and getting them into our leadership pipeline. This team effort has led to some incredible hires, including a Divisional General Counsel, Deputy CFO of Real Estate Development & Operations, and the President of DLP Bank. 

Strong leaders who align with and believe in your vision are non-negotiable for an Extraordinary Organization, which is the evolution of an Elite Organization and the focus of the book I’m writing now. 

Building an Extraordinary Organization is about success and significance: achieving greatness while making a deep impact. At DLP, our BHAG is a great example of the pursuit of both success and significance: transforming lives through housing while also growing the company to be one of America’s 100 largest private companies. An Extraordinary Organization doesn’t pursue success over significance or significance over success, but both in equal measure. 

This requires surrender and sacrifice. Surrendering to God, knowing the glory is all his and following his direction. Sacrifice as it requires hard work to pursue both success and significance, but it’s so much more rewarding. 

Success alone requires sacrifice. What are the things you do not want to do, but you will do consistently because it is what is required to maximize your organization and opportunities? 

Success requires discipline, which itself is just an intentional choice between two pains: the pain of discipline or the pain of disappointment in the absence of discipline. I know which one I choose—which will you? 

David & Goliath: Was David an Underdog? 

The story of David & Goliath has become the most widely used metaphor for improbable victories: for underdogs taking down giants. But what if David wasn’t an underdog at all? What if we have misunderstood the story all these years?

It seems improbable that something so seemingly straightforward—a young shepherd with a sling triumphing over a literal warrior giant with weaponary—could be misunderstood, but Malcom Gladwell argues just that in his book David and Goliath: Underdogs, Misfits, and the Art of Battling Giants. 

It’s easy to assume David is an underdog when you look at him next to Goliath. He’s small, young, and has what we believe to be an inferior weapon. And it’s easy to assume that Goliath will easily defeat David. He’s bigger, stronger, more experienced, and has modern weaponry. But as Gladwell describes in this Ted talk, history tells us we have a profound misunderstanding of both David and Goliath. The real lesson of their famous story? Sometimes a giant’s greatest strength can also be their greatest source of weakness. 

If you’re looking for a great way to introduce your kids to the story, I highly recommend seeing David, which I’ve now seen twice with our boys. 

The Countdown to Dollywood: Extraordinary Impact Family Event

I can’t tell you how often I’m asked, “When is your next family event?” We’re known for events at DLP, but even by our standards this one is always something special. 

Part of what makes it such an incredible event is that our team is intentional about creating sessions not just for your development as a parent, but for your children to grow and develop as well. We’ve covered everything from financial literacy to entrepreneurship for teens, and we’re always introducing new speakers and content each year. 

The other really unique part of the event is that it truly is intentionally for families, not just to grow together but also to create extraordinary memories together. There will be plenty of fun to be had alongside the learning, and childcare will also be available for children who aren’t interested in the sessions themselves. There will also be a special gift available only for those who attend this year—a first for the event. 

Last year in Asheville, we had a field day, magic performed by America’s Got Talent Winner Dustin Tavella, sessions designed specifically for teenagers and so much more. Of course, every event we do is bigger than the last, so imagine what’s in store for you and your family this year. 

Remember: the number one regret of business owners and professionals is that they didn’t spend more time with their kids. Don’t miss this opportunity to make core memories with your family while also learning key strategies and systems for strengthening your family’s foundation and protecting your future. 

Extraordinary Day Highlights

Wenner Family BHAG: 1,000 Extraordinary Days in 100 different places before Donny goes to college. 

Current Count: 381

Our most recent Extraordinary Days were made in the Dominican Republic supporting Hope International on a Vision Trip. During the trip, we met with five different entrepreneurs involved in everything from pig farming, to running clothing stores, to plantain farms. It was incredible to see the life-changing and transformational work Hope International is doing to restore dignity, build communities and homes, and strengthen families.