Why Servant Leaders Win: Gary Ridge

The Donkey Leadership Mindset Every Leader Needs From "I Don't Know: to Great Leadership

Episode 284 (Gary is based in California)

In this conversation with Gary Ridge we explore:

• how humility accelerates learning and strengthens leadership

• why saying “I don’t know” unlocks collective intelligence

• what servant leadership looks like in practice inside WD-40

• how leaders shift from managing to coaching

• why culture requires consistency, not charisma

• what it means to lead from the “stinky locker room”

• how clarity about “what an A looks like” transforms performance

• why purpose matters more than product

• how to protect culture by removing toxins early

• how great leaders help people step into the best version of themselves

-----

About Our Guest, Gary Ridge:

Garry has 25 years of experience as Chairman and CEO of WD-40 Company. He is also an adjunct professor at the University of San Diego, where he teaches the principles and practices of corporate culture in the Master of Science in Executive Leadership program.

He’s the USA Today Bestselling Author of Any Dumb Ass Can Do It and co-author of Helping People Win at Work with Ken Blanchard.

Learn more about Gary Ridge and his services at

https://thelearningmoment.net/

Follow Gary on Linkedin   

https://www.linkedin.com/in/garryridge/

-----

Key Points from this Conversation with Gary Ridge:

1. Leadership begins with humility and the willingness to say “I don’t know.”

2. Great leaders embrace the role of forever learner and forever teacher.

3. Coaching, not managing, is the true work of effective leadership.

4. Trust is built in the “stinky locker room,” not the corner office.

5. Culture requires values, behavior, and consistency — not quick fixes.

6. Purpose gives meaning beyond the product and unites people around impact.

7. Clarity about “what an A looks like” prevents conflict and accelerates performance.

8. Leaders must remove cultural toxins early, even when performance is high.

9. Ego destroys leadership; empathy and awareness enable it.

10. Leadership is not about the leader — it is about helping people step into the best version of themselves.

-----

----more----

Your Intended Message is the podcast about how you can boost your career and business success by honing your communication skills. We’ll examine the aspects of how we communicate one-to-one, one to few and one to many – plus that important conversation, one to self.

In these interviews we will explore presentation skills, public speaking, conversation, persuasion, negotiation, sales conversations, marketing, team meetings, social media, branding, self talk and more.

 

Your host is George Torok

George is a specialist in communication skills. Especially presentation. He’s fascinated by the links between communication and influencing behaviors. He delivers training and coaching programs to help leaders and promising professionals deliver the intended message for greater success.

 

Connect with George

www.SpeechCoachforExecutives.com

https://superiorpresentations.net/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgetorokpresentations/

https://www.youtube.com/user/presentationskills