Any Dumb-Ass Can Do It: Learning Moments from an Everyday CEO of a Multi-Billion-Dollar Company - Hardcover

Garry Ridge; Martha Finney

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1637746296 ISBN 13: 9781637746295

Publisher: Matt Holt Books, 2025

Synopsis

Can you create a successful company culture where people joyfully do meaningful work they believe in, within a tribe of supportive, positive, enthusiastic colleagues? Yes—it all starts with you!

From the former CEO of WD-40 Company, this guide will show you how to make this vision a reality—and how to become a true leader along the way.

In his book, Any Dumb-Ass Can Do It: Learning Moments from an Everyday CEO of a Multi-Billion-Dollar Company, Chairman Emeritus Garry Ridge tells the story of how he helped grow WD-40 Company into one of the world’s most recognized and beloved brands. How did he do it? By following the wisdom of Aristotle: “Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work.”

In his trademark Aussie storytelling fashion, Garry shares stories from his life that combine to create a deep well of leadership wisdom. You’ll discover:

• How a letter from the father of a young girl forever changed Garry’s thinking around the legacy of positive, lasting memories
• How to transform any workplace into a community where everyone thrives in psychological safety
• The humbling importance of never getting too impressed with yourself
• The number one responsibility of every leader, regardless of position in the org chart
• What Garry learned when he thought he was smarter than a hotel fire alarm on a cold, rainy London night
• What Garry learned from the time he rode a horse to Wall Street, dressed in full knight’s armor
• What makes a soul-sucking CEO (and how not to be one)

Any Dumb-Ass Can Do It is the story of Garry’s grand adventure in his own words, broken down into lessons he learned along the way, which he calls learning moments. In 26 short lessons, Garry shares stories from his career—those flashes of insight that have made all the difference in the world.

About this title

About the Authors

Garry Ridge has been named by Inc. Magazine as one of the world’s top 10 Most Admired CEOs, and served as CEO of WD-40 Company for 25 years. The founder and CEO of The Learning Moment, Garry now delivers his inspiring message to audiences and coaching clients throughout the world. He currently sits on the boards of The Gorilla Glue Company and Eastridge Workplace Solutions. In the past, he has served on the boards of WD-40 Company, The Ken Blanchard Companies and The San Diego Foundation.

Martha Finney has written, co-authored, and ghost-written 29 books on employee engagement, leadership, career management, and mental health in the workplace. Her book, co-authored with Libby Sartain, about the culture experience at Southwest Airlines, HR From the Heart: Inspiring Stories and Strategies for Building the People Side of Great Business, remains a cherished HR classic today. Her original research into joy in the American workplace has been featured on CNN, NPR, Time magazine, The San Francisco Chronicle, and The New York Times.

Edition details

• Publisher: Matt Holt Books
• Publication date: 2025
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1637746296
• ISBN 13: 9781637746295
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 256