The Power of Empathy in Business: Lessons from Garry Ridge (Rerelease)

This week on The Future of Teamwork podcast, we are revisiting Dane’s interview with Garry Ridge, former chairman of WD-40 Company and founder of The Learning Moment. They discuss Garry's journey from Australia to leading a U.S. public company for 25 years, and his philosophy on leadership and culture. Garry emphasizes the importance of an 'abundance of worthwhile work' mindset and details the four pillars of building a strong organization: care, candor, accountability, and responsibility. He shares insights on how these values have driven innovation, engagement, and success at WD-40, and highlights the importance of aligning partners and employees with these values. 

Original air date: January 3, 2023

Key Takeaways:
00:00 Introduction to the Future of Teamwork Podcast
01:15 Meet Garry Ridge: Leadership and Culture Expert
02:09 Garry Ridge's Journey with WD-40
04:44 The 25-Year Apprenticeship in Leadership
10:20 The Four Pillars of Strong Culture
18:31 Implementing Values in Business Decisions
21:07 Innovation from the Fringes
21:25 Celebrating Field Innovations
22:14 Smart Straw and Flexi Tube Innovations
24:24 Ethnology and Spray and Stay Gel
25:24 Collaborating with External Partners
26:55 Aligning Values with Partners
28:21 Celebrating Values and Behaviors
30:38 Impact of a Highly Engaged Workforce
33:28 Addressing ESG and Industry Challenges
35:13 Technology and Human Connection
38:54 Empowering Employees for Success
43:03 Conclusion and Contact Information