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 Andy here: Website | LinkedIn

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.

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