Garry Ridge

Garry Ridge

From The Steward Chair by Chat With Leaders Media

May 7, 2026 · 36 min · Episode 204

About this episode

Garry Ridge discusses his transition to servant leadership and the importance of culture in achieving long-term success.

In this episode of The Steward Chair, Garry Ridge, Culture Coach and Former Chairman and CEO of WD-40 Company, shares their journey of transitioning from a "command and control" leader to a servant leader, exploring how "the will of the people" drives meaningful, long-term success. We discuss the specific algorithm Garry used to grow WD-40's market cap from $300M to $3.5B, the defining moments of cultural safety during global crises, and why a leader's number one responsibility is to be a learner and a teacher. This conversation provides actionable takeaways for leaders committed to stewardship, integrity, and impact.   Key Takeaways The Algorithm for Culture: Sustainable success is built through the formula of Values + Behavior x Consistency. Consistency is the "magic word" that prevents cultural toxins from eroding the organization. Profit as Applause: Shift the focus from the bottom line to the people; profit is the natural "applause" that follows when employees feel safe, seen, and empowered to do their best work. Leading Like a "Donkey": Effective stewardship requires the humility and reliability of a donkey—carrying the load and helping others reach their…

People in this episode

Guest: Garry Ridge

Topics covered

  • servant leadership
  • organizational culture
  • business growth
  • leadership development
  • employee empowerment

Keywords

  • servant leader
  • market cap growth
  • cultural safety
  • leadership
  • values and behavior

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: WD-40 Company, The Learning Moment

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