In this week’s Thought Sparks Podcast episode, Rita McGrath, a Columbia University Business School Professor, C-Suite strategist, business founder and best-selling author, speaks with Garry Ridge, the former CEO of WD-40, and author of “Any Dumb-Ass Can Do It: Learning Moments from an Everyday CEO of a Multi-Billion-Dollar Company”. They share lessons from Garry’s 25-year tenure at WD-40 on how leaders can foster a supportive, positive workplace, and create cultures of belonging.
Key Takeaways:
00:00 Meet Garry Ridge: WD-40 Chairman Emeritus & "Dean of Dumbassery"
01:19 Business as a Force for Good: Creating Cultures Where People Go Home Happy
02:29 “Smart Alec” the Doll: Identifying Soul-Sucking Leadership Behaviors
03:19 The Tribal Concept: Why "Belonging" Is the Foundation of Great Organizations
06:56 The Maniac Pledge: Eliminating the Finger-Pointing Disease in Organizations
11:26 "I Hate the Word Manager": Why Coaching Beats Management Every Time
13:53 Learning Moments vs. Failures: Building Psychological Safety in Your Team
18:13 WD-40's Origin Story: How 39 Failed Attempts Led to a Global Brand
19:59 Beyond Squeaks: Why Your Product Isn't Your Purpose
22:32 Values as Decision-Making Tools: How Hierarchical Values Empower Employees
24:41 The $4 Million Decision: How Values Protected WD-40 from a Toxic Opportunity
30:36 Market Research in China: How Curiosity Transformed a Failed Product Launch
33:41 "Don't Understand? Get Curious!": How to Identify Your Customers' Real Needs
36:09 From CEO to "Refirement": Planning Your Leadership Exit with Purpose
40:33 Leading Through Uncertainty: Six Principles for Navigating Crisis
43:31 The Leadership Risk: Why Absorbing Uncertainty Is Your Most Important Job
49:47 The Remote Work Dilemma: Why In-Person Connection Drives Innovation
55:06 "97% of My Assets Drive Out the Gate": Treating People as Your Greatest Value
Thought Sparks are the brainchild of Rita McGrath. They are insightful actions, strategic ideas, actionable suggestions and innovative approaches that help organizations and leaders master the future with less fear and more confidence.
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