Garry Ridge

Garry Ridge is a purpose-driven founder, board member, advisor, author and educator with more than 35 years of global business experience. During his leadership at WD-40 Company, he built one of the world’s most trusted brands by creating a culture anchored in belonging, learning, and servant leadership. As The Culture Coach and founder of The Learning Moment, Garry partners with leaders and organizations to build values-driven workplaces where people thrive and contribute to something greater. He serves on the boards of The Gorilla Glue Company and Eastridge Workforce Solutions and is a Marshall Goldsmith Certified Executive Coach. A USA Today bestselling author, Garry wrote Any Dumb-Ass Can Do It: Learning Moments from an Everyday CEO and co-authored Helping People Win at Work with Ken Blanchard. He also contributed to Work is Love Made Visible by Marshall Goldsmith and Frances Hesselbein. Garry holds a Master of Science in Executive Leadership from the University of San Diego, where he taught the course Culture at Work: Putting Principles into Practice in the MS Executive Leadership program. He was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from National University for his lifetime contribution to leadership and organizational culture. His leadership has earned distinct recognition from Inc. Magazine in two separate features: • Named to the 2025 Top 50 Leadership & Management Experts • Featured among the World’s Top 10 CEOs Affectionately known as The Dean of Dumbassery, Garry believes great leadership is simple — but not easy. His philosophy is clear: when people feel safe, valued, and connected, they do their best work — and go home happy, strengthening families, communities, and the world. Disclaimer: The insights, experiences, and perspectives I share in my writing and speaking engagements reflect my leadership at WD-40 Company from 1997 to 2022 when I was CEO. As Chairman Emeritus, I hold no operational or strategic role in the company, and my commentary does not represent WD-40 Company's current leadership, decisions, or direction.