Turning Tribal Wisdom into Belonging: Lessons from WD-40 CEO Emeritus Garry Ridge
If you're feeling like your workplace culture is draining the life out of you, constantly leaving you feeling exhausted and undervalued, then you are not alone! It's time to stop waiting for a change to happen and start building a culture that actually works for you and your team. Garry Ridge is the Chairman Emeritus of WD-40 Company, where he spent 25 years as CEO, building a culture of trust, belonging, and engagement that drove both business success and human flourishing. Now, as The Culture Coach and founder of The Learning Moment, he shares his wisdom with leaders worldwide, helping them create workplaces where people feel safe, valued, and inspired. Named one of the Top 10 Most Admired CEOs in the World by Inc. Magazine and a Top 30 Global Guru in Organizational Culture, Garry is also an executive coach, adjunct professor, and co-author of Helping People Win at Work with Ken Blanchard. His latest book, Any Dumb-Ass Can Do It, promises to challenge and inspire leaders to build cultures of learning and belonging.
Want to know the surprising truth about creating a workplace culture that actually works? Garry Ridge just shattered every excuse and showed us why every dumbass has what it takes to lead with courage, humility, and heart. And here's the kicker - he's got the blueprint for building a tribe where people feel safe, valued, and ready to innovate. Get ready to be inspired, because this is not your typical leadership advice. It's time to stop waiting for permission and start making a difference in your workplace. Sound intriguing? Keep listening to find out how your work culture can be a place of thriving.
In this episode, you will be able to:
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Build Psychological Safety in Your Workplace: Learn how to foster an environment where every team member feels valued and comfortable contributing their ideas.
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Embrace Leadership Lessons from Garry Ridge: Discover actionable insights from Garry Ridge that can transform your approach to leadership and inspire your team.
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Create a Tribal Culture at Work: Uncover the secrets to cultivating a strong sense of community and belonging within your organization.
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Emphasize the Importance of Empathy in Leadership: Explore the powerful impact of empathy in leadership and how it can elevate your team dynamics.
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Implement Strategies for High Employee Engagement: Uncover effective tactics to boost employee engagement and create a more fulfilling work environment for your team.
My special guest is Garry Ridge
Garry Ridge is the Chairman Emeritus of WD-40 Company, where he spent 25 years as CEO, building a culture of trust, belonging, and engagement that drove both business success and human flourishing. Now, as The Culture Coach and founder of The Learning Moment, he shares his wisdom with leaders worldwide, helping them create workplaces where people feel safe, valued, and inspired.
Named one of the Top 10 Most Admired CEOs in the World by Inc. Magazine and a Top 30 Global Guru in Organizational Culture, Garry is also an executive coach, adjunct professor, and co-author of Helping People Win at Work with Ken Blanchard. His latest book, Any Dumb-Ass Can Do It, promises to challenge and inspire leaders to build cultures of learning and belonging.
The key moments in this episode are:
00:04:11 - The Bold Title of Garry's Book
00:08:33 - Creating a Safe Environment for Learning
00:10:41 - The Power of Tribal Culture
00:14:12 - The Future of Work and People-Centered Culture
00:18:37 - Workplace Culture and Its Impact Beyond the Office
00:23:22 - Talent Development and Engagement Strategy
00:26:20 - Shifting Mindset for a People-Centered Culture
00:28:19 - Importance of Self-Awareness in Leadership
00:28:45 - The Importance of Psychological Safety in Leadership
00:30:14 - Empathy and Understanding in Leadership During COVID
00:34:31 - Learning from Fijian Tribal Leaders
00:39:53 - Grounding Practices for Leadership
00:42:11 - Finding Joy in Purpose
00:42:24 - Paying It Forward
00:42:44 - Life's a Gift
00:43:26 - Human-Centered Leadership
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Check out Garry Ridge's book Any Dumbass Can Do It and consider purchasing a copy to gain insights into leadership, psychological safety, growth mindset, and creating a culture of belonging.
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Lori Adams-Brown, Host & Executive Producer
A World of Difference Podcast
