Episode 276 of The Business Development Podcast welcomes Garry Ridge, the legendary former CEO of WD-40 and author of Any Dumbass Can Do It. Garry takes us inside the culture transformation that turned WD-40 into a global icon, showing how “learning moments” and servant leadership created an environment where people belonged, felt valued, and performed at their best. His story proves that lasting success doesn’t come from fear or control but from building workplaces where people love to show up and contribute.

In this conversation, Garry shares the lessons he now brings to his coaching and speaking, from removing fear in organizations to leading with empathy and courage. He reminds us that leadership doesn’t have to be complicated — it has to be consistent, human, and purposeful. And with his trademark humility, he leaves us with a powerful reminder to live and lead fully: Life’s a gift. Don’t send it back.

Key Takeaways:

1. The best cultures are built on belonging, safety, and purpose, not fear or control.

2. A leader’s job is not to manage people but to coach them into the best version of themselves.

3. Consistency beats reinvention when it comes to building brand trust and recognition.

4. Learning moments replace mistakes — they’re opportunities to grow, not reasons to punish.

5. Focus wins markets; WD-40’s success came from doing one thing honestly and doing it well.

6. Strategic plans mean little unless people are passionate about executing them daily.

7. Empathy must outweigh ego for leaders to earn trust and unlock performance.

8. Culture cannot be microwaved; it takes time, commitment, and daily reinforcement.

9. Fear is paralyzing — removing it from organizations unleashes innovation and courage.

10. Life is a gift; leadership is about making sure people don’t send it back.

Links for Garry Ridge

Book: Any Dumbass Can Do It

Website: thelearningmoment.net

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