How former CEO of WD-40, Garry Ridge, sustained a culture of respect and results

How former CEO of WD-40, Garry Ridge, sustained a culture of respect and results

A man with curly gray hair and a mustache wearing a gray tweed jacket and black shirt smiles while standing outdoors in an urban setting. The background, firing with modern architecture, features a building with reflective windows and some greenery.

S. Chris Edmonds is a sought-after speaker, author, and executive consultant. He’s the founder and CEO of The Purposeful Culture Group, which he launched in 1990. Chris helps senior leaders build and sustain purposeful, positive, productive work cultures. He is the author or co-author of seven books, including Amazon bestsellers Good Comes First (2021) with Mark Babbitt, The Culture Engine (2014), and Leading at a Higher Level (2008) with Ken Blanchard.

Have you caught an episode of our new podcast yet?

The Mastering Workplace Culture podcast examines the hard truths of workplace culture change. Proven culture leaders share unfiltered stories of breakdowns, breakthroughs, and their bold decisions. And they’ll discuss the steps they took to drive sustainable, tangible change where respect and results are equally modeled, monitored, and validated.

Co-hosted by Mark S. Babbitt and yours truly, this show offers practical insight for senior leaders who cannot afford to let their workplace culture fail—and for those who are just as concerned with their leadership legacy as they are with today’s results.

Building a values‑based culture doesn’t happen by accident — it’s built through intention, inspiration, and courageous leadership. In this four-minute clip, former WD-40 CEO Garry Ridge shares the pivotal moments and guiding influences behind his mission to create a global, values‑driven organization.

Garry reflects on:

The turning‑point flight that reshaped his perspective

How wisdom from the Dalai Lama and Aristotle influenced his leadership approach

His decision to pursue a master’s degree in leadership

The vital mentorship of Ken Blanchard

And the creation of a hierarchical values framework that empowered employees worldwide to act with confidence and autonomy

A woman wearing glasses and a zebra-print sweater works on a tablet at a long wooden table in a modern, brightly lit office space that reflects a vibrant and collaborative culture. Colorful sticky notes are on the table near her hand.

Three coworkers stand in an office hallway, embodying a positive workplace culture; two men are giving each other a high-five while a woman next to them smiles and holds a notepad.

Building a values‑based culture doesn’t happen by accident — it’s built through intention, inspiration, and courageous leadership.

CHRIS EDMONDS

This preview offers an inside look at how values can both protect employees and liberate them to make decisions that align with the organization’s purpose — no matter where they work in the world.

If you’re passionate about leadership, culture building, or how values transform organizations, this conversation is rich with insight and actionable inspiration.

Here’s the clip of Garry’s show: How Garry Ridge Built a Global Values‑Based Culture

Garry’s full episode features deep dives into:

How values‑based leadership fosters engagement and trust

Why accountability is an act of care — not punishment

How belonging drives performance

What “positive attrition” really means

How WD‑40 sustained its values through the pandemic

How to maintain a strong culture across global teams

Find episodes of Mastering Workplace Culture – including Garry’s full episode – on our YouTube channel at The Purposeful Culture Group.

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