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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Listener Questions 59: Interstellar probes and fractional electrons