Any Dumbass Can Do It - Book Review

Author: Garry Ridge, Former CEO of WD-40

Category: Leadership

Audience: CEO, Leaders, Founders/ Owners

Overview: This review highlights how strong organizational culture is built through consistent leadership behaviors, especially communication and coaching. It reinforces that long-term performance comes from developing people with discipline, clarity, and time.

Before I even begin this review, I’ll admit up front that I really, really disliked the title of this book…sorry. For me, the title diminished the importance of the message the author shared.

However, I had the opportunity to attend an Association for Corporate Growth (ACG) meeting last November to hear a presentation by the author as he told his story. Based on his years of highly successful leadership at the helm at WD-40, his presentation was valuable.

Some key points in the presentation included his belief and practice in being a servant leader, to remember that the tools of business change but the principles do not.

Here are two points I found to be key:

1. The author acknowledges that the value of an organization’s culture comes from people. And the most important aspect of leaders is to develop awareness about what their employees need and want and then become consistent in providing it.

In fact, he spoke of consistency more than once. Getting the message across might require some ‘rehab coaching’ or ‘the unexplained learning moment’, but communication consistency was needed to move forward to gain the outcomes needed.

When we work with our own clients, we speak to their numbers. But equally important is the amount of time we take to stress and discuss the importance of consistent communication as an important part of the behaviors required for improving any culture.

2. The importance of leaders to learn the difference between coaching, telling and doing.

This key element of organizational growth is true for every level within an organization, but is especially true at leadership levels.

• Doing rests with the individual

• Telling is about supervision and training

• Coaching is the one communication skill that seems to cause noticeable discomfort if not trained and practiced.

However, it is also the most valuable in terms of long-term development and growth of the employees and thus the organization. As the author mentioned in the presentation, it’s getting ‘past the denial’.

Mr. Ridge left the audience with a couple of thoughts that absolutely no one can deny:

• It takes time…lots of focused time…to impact organizational results

• And it’s hard work, but very rewarding.

Definitely worth the read!

Cynthia Kyriazis is the Chief Experience Officer at The Culture Think Tank. Her experience includes executive coaching, consulting, and training. Book a 15-minute chat to discuss your people, performance, or profit challenges.