Garry Ridge
The Culture Coach
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Garry Ridge spent 25 years as CEO building one of the world’s most beloved and recognized branded companies – WD-40 Company – starting with creating a culture of leaders and individual contributors who are genuinely joyful in their work. He refers to this time of his career as his apprenticeship. And now, he fulfills his life’s purpose by transforming his learnings into teachings, extending his guidance as a coach to companies and executives worldwide.
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Garry has 25 years of experience as Chairman and CEO of WD-40 Company. He is also an adjunct professor at the University of San Diego, where he taught the principles and practices of corporate culture in the Master of Science in Executive Leadership program.
Garry’s philosophy on company culture is based on Aristotle’s quote – “Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work.” Turning that into action, he believes that all leaders can create a workplace where you go to work each day, make a contribution to something bigger than yourself, learn something new, feel safe, are protected, and are provided freedom by a set of values and go home happy!
He is passionate about the learning and empowering organizational culture he has helped establish at the WD-40 Company. In 2009, he co-authored a book with Ken Blanchard outlining his effective leadership techniques, titled
“Helping People Win at Work: A Business Philosophy Called ‘Don’t Mark My Paper, Help Me Get an A.” A native of Australia, Mr. Ridge holds a certificate in Modern Retailing and a Master of Science in Executive Leadership from the University of San Diego.
It’s often said, with nods of wise agreement, that any organization is nothing without its people. Over many decades, countless books and courses on leadership addressed this well-known and accepted axiom.
Then why are nearly 70% of all employees in the U.S. disengaged at work? Clearly, the conferences, books, courses, and motivational speakers are insufficient to make a difference.
This session by Garry Ridge, The Culture Coach and Chairman Emeritus WD-40 Company, will be a look “under the hood” of one of the world’s most recognized brands, where employee engagement is above 93%, 98% say they “love to work at WD-40 Company”, and 99% say that their “opinions and values are a good fit” for WD-40 Company.
Garry will share his “learning moments” over the course of his career efforts to transform company culture. Lessons and principles covered include:
Audience takeaways:
- The personal journey of every servant leader and why that philosophy is critical.
- The emotional connection of a greater purpose that creates high engagement.
- The role of a leader as a coach, not a manager
- How to carefully and consciously choose values that will be embedded in all aspects
of leadership and employee development. - Why investing in people who invest in themselves is a secret to succession planning
and greater organizational capability. - The difference between a “team” and a “tribe”
- How company performance results are directly connected to its focus on people
Want to bring Garry Ridge to your next event? Please tell us a little about your event, and we will get back to you shortly!