Garry Ridge on Leadership, Culture & Belonging | Former CEO of WD-40 (Ep. 89)
Dustin Sutton sits down with Garry Ridge, the legendary former CEO of WD-40, to explore what it truly takes to build great leadership and thriving company culture.
From servant leadership to psychological safety, Garry shares powerful lessons from decades at the helm of one of the most recognizable global brands. He reveals how leaders can become coaches instead of managers, why values and behaviors must stay aligned, and how creating a culture of belonging drives innovation and long-term business success.
In this episode of Tools, Talents & Techniques, Dustin Sutton sits down with Garry Ridge, former CEO of WD-40, to discuss what it really takes to build a thriving workplace culture.
Garry shares his leadership journey, the principles of servant leadership, and why values and behaviors must be aligned to create a culture where people feel they truly belong. He opens up about lessons from mentors, the importance of psychological safety, and how leaders can create “learning moments” that drive innovation and engagement.
💡 Key Takeaways:
- Leadership is about coaching, not managing.
- Servant leadership helps people succeed and feel valued.
- Culture is the CEO’s #1 responsibility.
- Psychological safety fuels innovation.
- Reflection and accountability strengthen leadership.
- Values + behavior consistency build trust and long-term success.
🗣️ Sound Bites:
- “Anyone can do it.”
- “You have to be deliberate.”
- “Fish rot from the head.”
⏱️ Chapters: 00:00 – Introduction to Garry Ridge and WD-40 03:09 – Leadership Journey and Servant Leadership 06:54 – Creating a Positive Organizational Culture 12:31 – Reflection and Personal Growth 18:08 – Responsibility and Accountability 23:44 – Creativity and Learning Moments in Leadership 29:24 – Final Thoughts and Life Lessons
🌐 Connect with Garry Ridge: 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/garryridge
🌐 Connect & Learn More: Website ➜ https://www.toolstalentstechniques.com
📺 Listen & Subscribe: YouTube ➜ https://youtube.com/@DustinCSutton Apple Podcasts ➜ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tools-talents-and-techniques-with-dustin-sutton/id1692838507 Spotify ➜ https://open.spotify.com/show/7pQZ551Ct4jVRQ2BqB7Zr2
🎶 Music by C€$ ➜ https://open.spotify.com/artist/21zXwxV9nWaiE6iAleU6ww
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📌 SEO Tags: Garry Ridge, WD-40 CEO, servant leadership, leadership culture, employee engagement, positive workplace, organizational behavior, coaching leadership, culture of belonging, Tools Talents & Techniques, Dustin Sutton, The3TPod
