How WD‑40 Built a Thriving Culture: Gary Ridge on Leadership That Works

Discover the leadership philosophies that helped turn WD‑40 into a globally admired organization. In this episode of Mastering Workplace Culture, hosts S. Chris Edmonds and Mark S. Babbitt sit down with Garry Ridge, former CEO and Chairman Emeritus of the WD‑40 Company — widely known as a Culture Architect.

Garry shares the principles that helped expand WD‑40 into 176 countries while building a culture grounded in trust, accountability, belonging, and values that guide behavior and performance. From authentic care to the concept of positive attrition, he explains how leaders can cultivate workplaces where people feel safe, connected, and motivated to do their best work.

You'll learn:
How values‑based leadership fosters engagement and trust
Why accountability is an act of care — not punishment
How belonging drives performance
What "positive attrition" really means
How WD‑40 sustained its values through the pandemic
How to maintain a strong culture across global teams
Perfect for leaders, HR pros, culture strategists, and anyone passionate about building people‑first workplaces.

⏱️ Episode Chapters
00:00 Introduction
00:31 Meet Garry Ridge
02:44 Garry's Journey with WD‑40
03:46 Building a Global Culture
05:46 Values‑Based Leadership
09:34 The Tribe Philosophy
11:22 Challenges & Resistance
23:41 Accountability that Works
28:02 Overcoming Obstacles with Values
29:39 Why Values Matter in Business
30:18 Thriving During the Pandemic
31:13 Employee Engagement & Safety
32:58 The Power of Belonging
36:26 Global Expansion & Cultural Differences
38:16 Values in Divisive Times
50:28 Addressing Toxic Behavior
53:51 Final Thoughts & Resources

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