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Any Dumb-Ass Can Do It

Learning Moments from an Everyday CEO of a Multi-Billion-Dollar Company

Garry Ridge author Martha Finney author

Format:Hardback

Publisher:BenBella Books

Publishing:11th Mar '25

£26.99

This title is due to be published on 11th March, and will be despatched as soon as possible.

Any Dumb-Ass Can Do It cover

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.

ISBN: 9781637746295

Dimensions: unknown

Weight: 375g

256 pages