Special 1: The Imperfect CEO - Garry Ridge | Faithly Podcast

Welcome to The Imperfect CEO, a special series by the Faithly Podcast, where Rev. Adam Durso is joined by guest host Jim Brown—author of The Imperfect CEO and founder of OrgHealth, a firm dedicated to helping leaders build healthy, life-giving organizational cultures. In this debut episode, Rev. Adam and Jim sit down with Garry Ridge, former CEO of the WD-40 Company, for a candid and deeply practical conversation on what it really takes to lead well. Together, they challenge the traditional model of leadership built on total control and the pressure to appear flawless. Instead, they offer a different vision—one rooted in humility, continuous learning, and a commitment to cultivating environments where people are empowered to thrive. Drawing from decades of experience, Garry reflects on how WD-40 built a culture centered on trust, psychological safety, and what he calls “learning moments,” while Jim unpacks how many leaders unintentionally become the ceiling of their organizations by trying to carry too much and have all the answers. At the heart of the conversation is a powerful reframe: leadership is not about being the hero, but about creating an environment where others can do their best work. From honest accountability to servant leadership, their discussion explores what happens when leaders choose clarity over control and development over performance—offering both established and aspiring leaders an invitation to let go of the exhausting pursuit of perfection and step into a more honest, sustainable way of leading. Website: https://thelearningmoment.net/about/ Connect with Jim Brown, and DM the word “BUILD" at linkedin.com/in/authorjimbrown for a free resource, and preorder your copy of The Imperfect CEO now at http://imperfectceobook.com/ (00:00) When the Hero Becomes the Ceiling (01:03) Gary Ridge on Donkeys and Humble Leadership (06:07) Why Imperfect Leadership Matters (08:43) Building a Learning Culture Instead of Fear (11:50) The Soul-Sucking CEO vs the Servant Leader (18:02) The Trap of Trying to Be Flawless (25:01) When Poor Culture Costs Millions (28:26) Why Leaders Must Stop Trying to Be Heroes (34:10) A Message for Exhausted CEOs (37:42) Final Encouragement to Let It Go Follow us on social media: Website: https://faithly.co/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thefaithlyco/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/faithly.co/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/faithly/ X: https://x.com/faithlyco