People First Leadership Lessons for building High-Performing finance teams from one of the TOP 10 Most Admired CEOs in the world, Garry Ridge

In this episode of FP&A Tomorrow, host Paul Barnhurst welcomes Garry Ridge, former CEO of WD-40 Company and a globally recognized leadership coach, to discuss how company culture and employee engagement can drive business success. With his extensive experience building a culture of trust, respect, and belonging, Garry shares how FP&A professionals can align financial strategy with a purpose-driven organizational culture. From leadership to mental health in the workplace, Garry’s insights provide valuable lessons for creating thriving teams and lasting business impact.

Garry Ridge is a purpose-driven leader, coach, and global keynote speaker. As the former Chairman and CEO of WD-40 Company, Garry led the brand to become one of the world’s most trusted names, achieving over 90% employee engagement and consistent shareholder growth. Known as The Culture Coach, Garry helps leaders create values-driven workplaces where learning, innovation, and connection fuel success. He is the author of Any Dumb-Ass Can Do It and co-author of Helping People Win at Work with Ken Blanchard.

Expect to Learn:

• The connection between company culture and business success
• How FP&A can guide strategy while fostering engagement
• Why servant leadership is key to unlocking innovation
• Practical advice on building a workplace of belonging
• The importance of "learning moments" in continuous improvement

Here are a few quotes from the episode:

• "Great FP&A looks like a road map to a destination that’s directionally very concise and understandable." - Garry Ridge
• "If only a small percentage of your organization is passionately working on executing your strategy, you’ll get limited outcomes." - Garry Ridge
• "If you want to create a high-performing culture, focus on building trust, respect, and belonging." - Garry Ridge

Garry Ridge offered a powerful vision for the future of leadership and organizational culture, one where trust, respect, and belonging are the foundations of success. He emphasized that great leaders are not just managers, but coaches who inspire their teams to thrive by focusing on values-driven cultures. From building employee engagement to navigating mental health challenges, Garry’s insights provide actionable guidance for leaders looking to create work environments where people feel valued, connected, and empowered to contribute to a greater purpose.

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March 23 – 25 in Indianapolis

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For CPE credit, please go to earmarkcpe.com, listen to the episode, download the app, answer a few questions, and earn your CPE certification. To earn education credits for the FP&A  Certificate, take the quiz on Earmark and contact Paul Barnhurst for further details.

In Today’s Episode

[02:51] - Introduction of Garry Ridge

[05:35] - All Models Are Wrong, Some Are Useful

[07:18] - Creating Memories with WD-40

[12:48] - The Consequences of Ignoring Culture

[24:29] - Reactions to Going Back to School as CEO

[29:44] - Making "Are You Okay?" Meaningful

[32:27] -  Embracing Vulnerability as a Superpower

[35:13] - Curiosity as a Business Partner

[42:29] - Parting Advice for Improvement

[59:47] - Final Thoughts and Wrap Up