Any Dumb-Ass Can Do It

Learning Moments from an Everyday CEO of a Multi-Billion-Dollar Company

De: Garry Ridge, Martha Finney, Ken Blanchard - foreword

Narrado por: Heath Miller

Imagine a successful company culture where people joyfully do meaningful work they believe in, alongside supportive, positive, enthusiastic colleagues.

From the former CEO of WD-40 Company, this guide will show you how to make this vision a reality—and how to become a true leader along the way.

In Any Dumb-Ass Can Do It, Chairman Emeritus Garry Ridge tells the story of how he helped grow WD-40 Company into one of the world’s most recognized and beloved brands. How did he do it? By following the wisdom of Aristotle: “Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work.”

In his trademark Aussie storytelling fashion, Garry shares experiences from his life that combine to create a deep well of leadership wisdom. You’ll discover:

• How one letter from a devoted father inspired Garry’s thinking around the legacy of positive, lasting memories
• How to transform any workplace into a community where everyone thrives in psychological safety
• The importance of never getting too impressed with yourself
• The number one responsibility of every leader, regardless of position
• What he learned when he thought he was smarter than a hotel fire alarm on a cold, rainy London night
• Garry’s takeaway from the time he rode a horse to Wall Street, dressed in full knight’s armor
• What makes a soul-sucking CEO (and how not to be one)

Any Dumb-Ass Can Do It is the story of Garry’s grand adventure in his own words, broken down into learning moments—those flashes of insight that have made all the difference in the world.

©2025 by Garry Ridge used with permission of BenBella Books, Inc. (P)2025 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Reseñas de la Crítica

“Garry Ridge is the embodiment of what it means to be a great CEO. That he took the time to write down how he learned to lead (with such humility, I might add) means that we all get to learn how to lead like him. And that can only be a good thing!”—Simon Sinek, New York Times Bestselling Author, The Infinite Game

“It’s not every day that you come across a CEO who aims to be the dumbest person in the room. Garry Ridge’s take on leadership is as refreshing as it is rare.”—Adam Grant, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author, Think Again and Hidden Potential, and Host, WorkLife podcast

“I absolutely loved this book. Garry Ridge wants you to know that being a great leader is simple. But simple, alas, doesn’t mean easy. Becoming a great leader means becoming a better person—more caring, curious, humble, and more fully dedicated to making things better . . . Garry delightfully conveys the accumulated stories and wisdom of decades of leadership practice.”—Amy C. Edmondson, Novartis Professor of Leadership, Harvard Business School, and Author, Right Kind of Wrong

Very good leadership lessons, however....

Loved the content which is heartfelt and encouaging... but really dislike the Title which is harsh and off-putting. No understanding of why that title was used as it is totally inconsistent with the leadership message of the book. Most disappointing is that I will not be able to refer it to my staff or colleagues without adding a disclaimer/apology as a preface. Very unfortunate, and so unnecessary.

The Memory Business

I heard Ridge interviewed by Mike Rowe and immediately bought this book; what a delightful and insightful leader! I wish the book would have had more stories and less “frameworks” - but still lots of nuggets.

Leadership purpose

I Like the down to earth presentation and the common sense methodology. Servant leadership is key!