Building People-Centric Cultures and Coaching Leaders with Garry Ridge, Former CEO of WD40

Today, I’m joined by Garry Ridge—beloved leadership coach, former CEO and Chairman of WD-40 Company, bestselling author, and passionate advocate for people-first workplace cultures.

In this candid and energizing conversation, Garry and I dig into what it truly means to foster a workplace where people feel safe, valued, and connected—a space where anyone, with the right approach, can build an extraordinary culture. Drawing from his 25 years at the helm of a global brand and his latest book, Any Dumbass Can Do It, Garry shares his hard-earned wisdom, favorite behaviors of great coaches, and the core values that made WD-40 a beacon of trust, belonging, and performance.

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Connect with Garry Ridge here: LinkedIn

In this episode, Garry shares:

• His simple yet powerful philosophy: when people feel safe, valued, and connected, they do their best work—and go home happier.
• The critical distinction between managers and coaches, and why WD-40 replaced “manager” with “coach” in every job title.
• A breakdown of “soul-sucking” leadership behaviors—from ego and micromanagement to fear-based cultures—and the transformation that comes with self-awareness.
• Strategies for equipping new leaders, including the necessity of teaching fundamental coaching skills, not just promoting top performers.
• The power of psychological safety, learning moments, and openly sharing mistakes for creating a culture of innovation and growth.
• WD-40’s unique “Maniac Pledge” and how it eliminates blame, sparks accountability, and puts people in the driver’s seat of their own learning.
• Why feedback, authenticity, and vulnerability are non-negotiable for today’s leaders—and how to ask for help as a superpower, not a weakness.
• Insights on maintaining strong cultures in remote/hybrid work environments, plus the evolving opportunity of AI to free up creativity and connection.
• Practical lessons from Garry’s own “dumbass” moments, and why leaders must intentionally center themselves to avoid “bringing leftovers” to their teams.

Whether you’re an HR or talent professional, a seasoned leader, or aspiring to lead, Garry’s philosophy offers both aspiration and action for making your company—and the world—a better place.

Thanks for listening! Don’t forget to share this episode with your network, and check out Garry’s book, Any Dumbass Can Do It, for more great stories and practical tools for building winning cultures.