World Model · podcast knowledge graph

The Culture That Converts Even the Biggest Cynics with former WD-40 CEO Garry Ridge

2025-11-25 · 57 min · episode 199 · 19 entities

episode page audio

Asserted relationships

  • → hosted by Simon Sinek person
    0.55
    evidence rules-v5
    Feed author/publisher: Simon Sinek
  • → works at WD-40 Company company
    0.48
    evidence rules-v5
    joined WD-40 Company
  • → discusses Business company
    0.40
    evidence rules-v5
    Feed category: Business
  • → discusses Education concept
    0.40
    evidence rules-v5
    Feed category: Education
  • → discusses Self-Improvement concept
    0.40
    evidence rules-v5
    Feed category: Self-Improvement
  • → discusses Careers website
    0.40
    evidence rules-v5
    Feed category: Careers
  • 0.40
    evidence rules-v5
    Feed author/publisher: The Optimism Company from Simon Sinek
  • → references Any Dumb Ass Can Do It website
    0.38
    evidence rules-v5
    Link in episode "The Culture That Converts Even the Biggest Cynics with former WD-40 CEO Garry Ridge": https://thelearningmoment.net/any-dumb-ass-can-do-it
  • → references thelearningmoment.net website
    0.38
    evidence rules-v5
    Link in episode "The Culture That Converts Even the Biggest Cynics with former WD-40 CEO Garry Ridge": https://thelearningmoment.net/

Entities found in this episode

companys 6

websites 6

  • mentioned Careers website
    0.50
    evidence rules-v5
    Feed category: Careers
  • mentioned Any Dumb Ass Can Do It website
    0.45
    evidence rules-v5
    Link in episode "The Culture That Converts Even the Biggest Cynics with former WD-40 CEO Garry Ridge": https://thelearningmoment.net/any-dumb-ass-can-do-it
  • mentioned thelearningmoment.net website
    0.45
    evidence rules-v5
    Link in episode "The Culture That Converts Even the Biggest Cynics with former WD-40 CEO Garry Ridge": https://thelearningmoment.net/
  • discusses Careers website
    0.40
    evidence rules-v5
    Feed category: Careers
  • references Any Dumb Ass Can Do It website
    0.38
    evidence rules-v5
    Link in episode "The Culture That Converts Even the Biggest Cynics with former WD-40 CEO Garry Ridge": https://thelearningmoment.net/any-dumb-ass-can-do-it
  • references thelearningmoment.net website
    0.38
    evidence rules-v5
    Link in episode "The Culture That Converts Even the Biggest Cynics with former WD-40 CEO Garry Ridge": https://thelearningmoment.net/

concepts 5

  • mentioned Education concept
    0.50
    evidence rules-v5
    Feed category: Education
  • mentioned Self-Improvement concept
    0.50
    evidence rules-v5
    Feed category: Self-Improvement
  • discusses Education concept
    0.40
    evidence rules-v5
    Feed category: Education
  • discusses Self-Improvement concept
    0.40
    evidence rules-v5
    Feed category: Self-Improvement
  • mentioned CEO concept
    0.35
    evidence rules-v5
    CEO

persons 2

  • mentioned Simon Sinek person
    0.70
    evidence rules-v5
    Feed author/publisher: Simon Sinek
  • hosted by Simon Sinek person
    0.55
    evidence rules-v5
    Feed author/publisher: Simon Sinek
Episode description as stored
Who would’ve guessed that one of the world’s best company cultures was hiding behind a can of WD-40? Of all the places to find a leadership masterclass, the blue-and-yellow can in your garage probably wasn’t on your list - but it’s time to put it there. Garry Ridge - an Australian who brought his charm and curiosity across the Pacific  - joined WD-40 Company in the late ’80s and rose through the ranks, eventually serving as CEO for 25 years. But he didn’t start out as the culture-building expert he’s known as today. Early in his career, he lived by the old mantra: “be brilliant, be brief, be gone.” He had to unlearn that mindset and rebuild himself into a leader who centers people, learning, and belonging  - an evolution that reshaped WD-40 from the inside out. His new book, Any Dumb Ass Can Do It, captures that journey. In this episode, we break down how Garry built a company where people genuinely love coming to work  - even through recessions, pandemics, and all the external chaos leaders can’t control. We dig into the systems and behaviors that fueled WD-40’s rise, from psychological safety to accountability to building internal consistency no matter what the market is doing. Garry and I both believe that people deserve to love their work - even if they don’t like it every single day. People want to feel seen, heard, and valued. And Garry is one of the rare leaders who knows exactly how to make that happen. This is A Bit of Optimism. --------------------------- This episode is brought to you by the Porsche USA Macan --------------------------- Check out Garry’s new book. https://thelearningmoment.net/any-dumb-ass-can-do-it/ And his coaching work with The Learning Movement.  https://thelearningmoment.net/