In this episode of Workplace Weirdness, host Maya Kadar Kovalsky chats with Garry Ridge, former CEO of WD-40, about leadership, learning from failure, and why “dumbassery” might just be the secret ingredient to great leadership. Gary explains how embracing vulnerability, admitting you don’t have all the answers, and messing up a few times along the way can actually make you a stronger leader.

Gary opens up about his time at WD-40, the iconic blue-and-yellow can that’s been fixing squeaky hinges and rusting parts for decades. He explains how building a culture of learning and being okay with failure helped the company thrive. They also tackle listener questions about navigating awkward workplace situations, like surviving a gratitude circle after layoffs, handling the micromanagement label, and escaping an unexpected weekend shift at a trampoline park.

Tune in, you might just look at leadership a little differently after this one.

Key Takeaways

• Embracing mistakes and vulnerability can unlock authentic leadership.
• Great leaders don’t just manage, they coach and support their team through change.
• Recognizing the power of asking “I don’t know” can create a more open, collaborative work environment.
• Transparency and humility are key to gaining trust after tough situations like layoffs.
• In leadership, authenticity outweighs trying to look like you have all the answers.
• Setting clear boundaries, even with a boss, is essential for maintaining professional integrity.

• In This Episode

  • [00:00] What is WD-40?

• [01:01] Meet Garry Ridge

• [02:59] Why “Dumbassery” Is a Leadership Superpower

• [07:25] Coach vs. Manager: What’s the Difference?

• [09:18] Turning Mistakes into Learning Moments at WD-40

• [16:01] Weirdest Workplace Moments

• [19:01] Week in Work: Why Fear-Based Leadership Backfires

• [26:01] Listener Question #1: Navigating Gratitude Circles After Layoffs

• [33:12] Listener Question #2: Micromanagement Feedback and How to Handle It

• [39:01] Cringeworthy Question: How to Decline an Unwanted Social Invitation

• [44:27] Wrap-Up and Final Thoughts

Notable Quotes

• [03:26] “ Admitting you’re wrong and saying you don’t know is actually a superpower.” — Garry Ridge

• [06:14] “ Success in business is not you being the smartest person in the room. It’s you being in a room bringing out the smarts of everybody else. And once you expose yourself and display vulnerability, everybody else relaxes and suddenly you get an enormous amount of brain strength that comes out in the room.” — Garry Ridge

• [20:27 “ If leaders think that building a fear-based culture where people want to escape from their workplace instead of escape to it, they have a wake up call coming for them.” — Garry Ridge

• [34:17] “When your team calls you a micromanager, that’s feedback, not a defense.” — Garry Ridge

Garry Ridge

• LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/garryridge

• The Learning Moment – https://thelearningmoment.net/

Maya Kadar Kovalsky

• Website – https://www.mayakadar.com/

• LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/mayakadar/

Workplace Weirdness

• Email: [email protected]

• SpeakPipe – http://speakpipe.com/workplaceweirdness

• Website – http://workplace-weirdness.com

• Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/workplaceweirdpod/
  Disclaimer: The content of this podcast is intended for entertainment purposes only and should not be construed as professional, legal, or workplace-specific advice. Listeners are encouraged to seek guidance from qualified professionals for their individual situations.